Michigan
5-22, 1-15
Illinois
16-11, 7-9
Wolverines Drop Regular-Season Finale to Fighting Illini
2/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team closed out the regular season with a 65-56 loss at Illinois on Sunday (Feb. 27). Ta'Shia Walker (Lansing, Mich./Sexton HS) scored 18 points to lead the Wolverines (5-22, 1-15 Big Ten), while Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) added 13 points and nine rebounds and Jessica Starling (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby HS) contribued eight points and a career-high 11 boards.
A couple early jumpers from Kelly Helvey (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS) and BreAnne McPhilamy (Portage, Mich./Northern HS) gave the Wolverines a 4-2 lead that would prove to be short-lived. Illinois answered its only deficit of the game with a 10-2 run and then slowly expanded their lead from that point.
The Fighting Illini shot .467 from the field in the first half, including several mid-range jumpers against the Wolverine zone. Guard Janelle Hughes came off the bench to score 12 points in the first half and help the Fighting Illini to a nine-point lead (17-8) midway through the first half.
The Wolverines did answer with their best run of the first half and it was the Michigan bench keying the surge. Walker scored on a vintage back-to-the-basket move and converted a pair of free throws, while Starling hit a jumper and an 8-3 run left Michigan down just four (20-16) with 7:36 left.
Despite getting pretty good looks, Michigan went scoreless for the remainder of the half and Illinois' dominance on the glass started to take its toll. Illinois finished the half on an 11-0 run and led 34-19 at the break thanks in large part to a 25-12 edge on the boards for the half.
Illinois scored the first four points on the second half to push its lead to as much as 19 before the Wolverines made another run. Krista Clement (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS) provided the big spark, drilling a couple of deep triples which in turn opened up things in the post for Walker. The 6-0 post player took advantage scoring on a variety of post moves, and after a free throw from Starling the Wolverines trailed by just 10 (47-37).
Any Michigan momentum was quickly lost with a couple costly turnovers and a failure to convert shots in the paint. As a result, Illinois was able to get out in transition for the first time in the game and pushed its lead back to 20 points. To Michigan's credit, the Wolverines fought back once again, this time with a three-point barrage. With four freshmen on the floor, the Wolverines cut the lead all the way to eight (64-56), but it was a little too late with the clock down under one minute remaining.
Walker, who drilled a couple triples down the stretch, along with Starling's offensive rebounding sparked the late run.
The Wolverines now move on to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind., where they will face No. 6 seed Iowa in round one Thursday (March 3, 8 p.m.).
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
