I Page 12 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, December 13, 1988 'M' strolls past Eastern, 80-57 Adam's Rib BY ADAM SCHRAGER BY STEVE BLONDER The Michigan running game last night at Crisler Arena resembled a slow-motion replay of babies beginning to walk as opposed to their usual fun-and-gun style of basketball, but the No. 2 Wolverines showed their versatility in disposing of Eastern Michigan 80-57. A patient Huron offense used up most of the 45-second clock each time down the floor in an effort to force Michigan (9-0) to expand additional energy on defense. "We tried hard to control the tempo on the offensive end by handling the ball well and then getting easy shots," Huron coach Ben Braun said. "We had a lot of opportunities, and that's all I could ask of my players." Michigan coach Bill Frieder complimented the way Eastern forced his Wolverines to play a "different" style of basketball. "This was the first time we had to play that type of game," Frieder said. "Eastern did a good job controlling the tempo, and it affected our shooting." For the game, Michigan shot 50 percent from the field, a far cry from the 61 percent the Wolverines had been averaging. "It used to be that 50 percent was a good shooting night, but the way we've been playing, that figure is low," Frieder said. "Tonight we took good shots, but they just weren't falling." Sean Higgins scored 18 points to lead the Wolverines, while Terry Mills, Loy Vaught, and Glen Rice all scored 12. Rice, who scored eight of Michigan's first 11 points, played only 19 minutes due to bouts with tonsillitis and the flu. Lorenzo Neely led the Hurons (5- 1) with 18 points, including eight of Eastern's first 16. "Neely was tremendous," Frieder said. "I think he's a good player and he will make Eastern Michigan a good team. He completely outplayed (Rumeal) Robinson." The Wolverines found themselves in an unfamiliar position, trailing Eastern, 18-17, midway through the first half. Michigan then went on a 8-2 run to go up, 25-20. Kirk Taylor's 18-footer capped the rally with 4:36 left in the half. Vaught and Higgins each scored four points near the end of the half to put Michigan ahead, 34-27. The Wolverines came out strong to start the second half, scoring 11 unanswered points to take a commanding 45-27 lead with 17 minutes to play. JOHN MUNSON/Daily Rumeal Robinson attempts to split two Eastern Michigan defenders during first-half action last night at Crisler Arena. Robinson led the Wolverines with six assists. STA1('BOU D '89 ATTENTION TALENTED PEOPLE! R y s~ r TQA RVED CLASS RINGS Hurons cannot ruin Blue's holiday cheer 'Twas was the night before the last day of classes, and everything was sound. Not a creature was stirring in Crisler Arena because Eastern Michigan had come to town. In Michigan's 80-57 victory fast night over its Wastenaw County rivals, a new type of basketball reared its ugly head. Heavens no, could it be ... yes, slow-down basketball. The nasty Hurons arrived with the intent to steal the holiday cheer from the nice, gentle, orderly Crisler fans. "No, I'm not going to let Michigan score 100 points on my team as they did on Central Michigan, South Dakota State, etc.," scowled Eastern coach Ben "The Grinch" Braun before last night's game. THE FANS PLEADED with Michigan coach Bill Frieder to "please" save them from this horrendously boring basketball. "We want to see basketball's version of the run-and-shoot offense," they seemed to say. At first, the mean and nasty Braun had things his way. Only 33 total points were scored in the first 10 minutes of the game. And the score at the half was a mere Michigan 34, Eastern Michigan 27. As one looked around, one saw anxious, worried faces. Would this be the team that upset the proud and strong Wolverines? After all, they outrebounded Michigan, 18-17, in the first half. And the Hurons were still in the game despite shooting a paltry 37 percent from the floor. Could they bore the fans and the Wolverines to an unwanted, uncalled for, and unbelievable victory? AS THE WOLVERINES approached the floor for the second half, the marching band chimed in with a rousing rendition of "The Victors." All the fans bordering on sleep because of Eastern's version of Nyquil, the dribbling, passing, not shooting, so you can rest basketball, rose to their feet in hope that their mighty Michigan team could overcome this challenge. With 20 seconds gone in the half, Michigan's Glen Rice hit two free throws. One minute passed and there was no more scoring. Ninety seconds went by and still nothing more. Could Eastern prevail? Fear not, because the story does have a happy ending. At the 1:45 mark of the half, Sean Higgins hit a jumper. At 2:01, Rumeal Robinson made a layup. At 2:37, Mike Griffin sunk a jump hook. Before the proverbial dust had cleared, Michigan was ahead by 15, and timeout had been called. The fans eased back in their chairs for the threat had been vanquished. The Hurons would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the game. But what will transpire if this happens again? Will the Wolverines be able to stop a ,team with more talent than Eastern that plays valium basketball? More importantly, will the Wolverines retain their fans that are used to seeing 78 rpm-type basketball? As difficult a it may seem, something good came from this story. Listen to Michigan assistant coach Steve Fisher: "I don't think we'll see a lot of that stalling in the Big Ten season." MAC attack complete EASTERN MICHIGAN (57) Ch. Thomas 2-5 3-3 8, Hallas 4-10 1-2 9, Desalvo 1-2 1-1 3, Chambers 1-7 0-0 2, Neely 7-17 4-4 18, Nolan 0-0 2-2 2, Ca. Thomas 3-8 2-2 9, Henderson 3-6 0-1 6, Hughes 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-55 13-15 57. MICHIGAN (80) Rice 3-6 6-6 12, Mills 3-6 6-6 12, Griffin 2-2 1-2 5, Higgins 7-13 3-3 18, Robinson - 10 2-3 6, Hughes 2-3 1-2 5, Vaught 6-8 0-1 12, Taylor 2-5 0-2 4, Oosterbaan 1-3 2-2 4, Pelinka, 0-1 0-0 0, Calip 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 29-58 21-25 80. Halftime-Michigan 34, EMU 27. Three-point field goals-EMU 2-10 (Ch. Thomas 1-3, Chambers 0-1, Neely 0-2, Ca. Thomas 1-4), Michigan 1-4 (Higgins 1-1, Robinson 0-1, Taylor 0-2). Fouled out-Henderson. Rebounds-EMU 30 (Halas7), Michigan 37 (Vaught 8) . Assists-EMU 8 (Neely 4), Michigan 15 (Robinson 6). Technical fouls-none. Total fouls-EMU 20, MIchigan 16. A- 12,208. GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS AT theteo T.M. Open Sundays and evenings through Christmas 663-3600 605 E. William " Ann Arbor 4 Do you want to "show off?" STARBOUND, a campus-wide talent competition, is looking for you! Come find out all about us and sign up for auditions on Sunday, January 8 in room 2105 at the Michigan Union. If you want to be a part of what goes on behind the scenes--no experience neccessary--come on out, we'd love to have you! STARBOUND could very well prove to be the time of your life, and there's only one way to find out! If you want more details, call us at 763-1107, or stop by! LEGENIDleads the wav to a new level of style strong. distinctive, elegant. LEGS\D. %vith handsone new schl idlentification fatures, and a multituode of other customizing options. is also the first ring to offer a choice of two side designs. For the ultimate memento of your college experience. choose LEGEND. Exclusively from Art(arved, the stele leaders. 4~ jlhh'j 4 7hi'Qualit}:y The Reward YobuIDeserve. ALL RINGS ON SALE! Michigan Union ' l ______. THE UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES CENTER L. Dec. 12-17 Mon-Sat Dlate C I988 ArIne L %s (a',.Rings. 10:00 - 4:00 Bookst tore 'l'ime $25.00 DpositRequired a ob- 9 1 y GYM ANN ARBOR Power House Gym wishes HAPPY HOLIDAYS to the "student bodies" at U of M by offering a holiday gift for all to enjoy. Receive the gift of fitness for 50% OFF the regular ar A E Tickets Av i ab Sou-11er if ra Ticket rvi (818) 57 7 Pasadena's Old t and Most Reliable Ticke gency Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific S a dard Time I f i f j(! t1 1 i COLLEGE BOWL TUESDAY-THURSDAY AFTER 9 PM ,i I= I