R' 1, S A Women's Basketball vs. Eastern Michigan Tonight, 7:30 p.m. Crisler Arena SPORTS Hockey vs. Boston University Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Yost Ice Arena s ,. :. The Michigan Daily Not a banner Thursday, November 30, 1989 z Page 9 win for Blue Sean Higgins' 20 points push 'M' past Grambling St., 85-70 by Lory Knapp1 Daily Basketball Writer Led by Sean Higgins' 16 second; half points, the Wolverines were able to overcome a sluggish first half to beat Grambling State in the season home opener, 85-70. The Michigan starters had difficulty getting into the game from the beginning, and coach Steve Fisher responded to the lackadaisical play by pulling the starters after seven minutes of play. "Early on we were casual, which is why I pulled the starters," Fisher said. "(Michigan) came in over- confident thinking they'd just show up and score 110 and (Grambling would) score 55." So casual, in fact, that the Wolverines had scored only ten * Taylor Lincol I Lincoln's Minutes points in those first seven minutes, team whose tallest sta against a much smaller Grambling 6-7. Fortunately for th State team. the Tigers had shot m "We came out playing a slow only 38 percent of their tempo, and (Fisher) wanted a faster "I was hopeful that tempo, so he put in the bench," said we put in, ...(would1 senior center Terry Mills who scored better than they did," F only four of his 17 points in the The second half first half. "I think it was a good brighter for the Wolv move." Vaught, Mills and Hi The second team, which consisted according to Fisher, th of Michael Talley, Demetrius Calip, going to have to playi James Voskuil, Chris Seter and Eric season. Riley, did not play much better. In Higgins, who led fact, Calip who shot only four-for- scorers with a seas seven from the floor, was the only points, shot eight-for one to,hit a shot. field including two f By the end of the first half point range. Higgin Michigan led 36-26, but shot only passing did not go un 44 percent from the floor and had as he hit shooters wi been out-rebounded, 20-17, by a and from behind his ba National lingers iln rambling At this point, Fisher returned his starting watched five to the floor and they pulled away to lead by nner was ten at the half. They stretched their lead to 24 midway through the second half, before coasting ound the to the win. *it for a redom, as Sean Higgins led a strong front line worn off performance, scoring 16 second-half points. Loy fies they Vaught and Terry Mills added 19 and 17 points respectively. were in a "I think they came in overconfident, igan had thinking they'd just show up and score 110 and esponded (Grambling would) score 55," Fisher said. Robinson's claim that Michigan was t's why I playing hard in the early part of last night's "I asked game has a note of complacency to it. The will was...He to reach the top frequently fuels effort levels id, 'Well, that teams are unable to match in the following we have season. Despite Michigan's early season stumbling, p, James Fisher has remained calm - at least to the Michael press. 1. '"1promise you one thing," he said. "We will an's lead play a lot, lot, lot, lot better against Iowa State into the (on Saturday). It's easy to say, but we will." Prior to last night's game against G State, the Michigan basketball players as the 1989 National Championship ba unfurled. After the banner was paraded ar floor, the players stood in front of picture. They had a look almost of bor if the national championship luster had with all the pep rallies and ceremoi have been through. The Wolverines played as if they championship stupor. Five minutes into the game, Mich scored six points. Coach Steve Fisher r by pulling his starters -- all of them. "Early on, we were casual and tha pulled the starters," Fisher said. Rumeal what he thought the problem said, 'I think we're playing hard.' I sa I don't think we're playing as hard as to to win." The formula of Demetrius Cali Voskuil, Chris Seter, Eric Riley, and Talley fared worse than the starters had Ten minutes into the game, Michig was cut to 12-10. Fifteen minutes game Michigan trailed.- 19-18. rter was only e Wolverines, worse, hitting r shots. t the unit that have) played isher said. was much erines as Loy ggins played, e way they're in the Big Ten all Michigan son high 20 -ten from the rom the three s' proficient noticed either thout looking ack. "We were in his face and he (Higgins) still shot the ball well," said Grambling coach Aaron James. Higgins responded: "I'm 6-9, the guy guarding me was only 6-4, smaller guys guarding me is always an advantage." Mills and Vaught added a com- bined 36 points and 20 rebounds. And, although he did not shoot well at all, Rumeal Robinson was, as usual, effective on defense. "We couldn't get into our offense because of him (Robinson)," said James. Grambling State's Claude New- ell, who is leading the team in scoring, averaging 16 points per game, provided the majority of their offense. Heled all scorers with 25 points, and also led the team with eight rebounds. Championship still 1 Michigan's psyche Fisher's promise for a better showing Saturday is appropriate. There is only so much to be learned from a mediocre performance against an inferior team. Even if Michigan played its worst last night and Grambling its best, Michigan would almost certainly win the game. It's difficult to get fired up under those circumstances. Saturday will be a fair barometer of whether the Wolverines are still resting on their laurels from last year, or if their current slump is just an aberration. In the Arizona game their sloppiness and poor shot selection can be attributed to first game jitters. Against BostonUniversity, a letdown was understandable coming off of a national television game. Last night they were flat. But on Saturday, Michigan will face a Big Ten-caliber team. This game will be an early- season gut check. They are out of excuses for sub-par performances. Forward Chris Seter goes up for a rebound in Michigan's DAVID LUBLINERJDil 85-70 win over Grambling State last night in Crisler Arena. ,.~ I (~ ~ A BOERSMA TRAVEL ROSE BOWL FLIGHTS d from 35 Hurry! Spaces limited! Michigan Union - 663-7749 I, MICHIGAN 0W OWNG SUPER -DOOPE R W' SALE!!! WHY? 1140 SOUTH UNIVERSITY-directly above Good Time Charley's PH: 663-5800 STORE HOURS: MON-SAT: 9 AM-10 PM SUN: 11AM-8PM YOUR CHOICE $6on4cassette! ICE-T THE ICEBERG/FREEDOM OF SPEECH... JUST WATCH WHAT YOU SAY Featuring: LETHAL WEAON " THIS ONE'S FOR ME TOMORROW ONLY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1989 ONE FREE MEMOREX HBS-100 minute blank cassette 20% INCLUDES NO SOUVENIRS 1n compact disc! YOUR CHOICE OFF ALL MEMOREX BLANK AUDIO AND with each COMPACT Put a rock (casorCD) in their sock! I I