Page 6-The Michigan Daily-Sports Monday- February 1,1993
*FULL COURT.
PRESS -
Women cagers' slide continues
M' drops two more to conference foes Minnesota and Iowa
.94.
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Blue can still
season's final chapter
by Rich Mitvalsky
Daily Sports Writer
"I want to say something about your band," Iowa women's basketball
head coach Vivian Stringer said. "I think it's great how they support Trish's
(Michigan head coach Roberts) team."
Picture this: 6'5" Hawkeye center Cathy Marx is fouled underneath the
hoop and steps to the line. Meanwhile, behind the backboard, tens of maize
and blue clad band members scatter in the empty seats behind the clear
board, waving their arms frantically to distract Marx's shot.
Vivian - thanks, but no thanks. As you are probably well aware, the
fact is that Marx can most likely dunk the ball from the free throw line if she
feels in the least bit frazzled.
All told, Stringer boasts six players over six feet in height, and each saw
considerable playing time against the significantly shorter Wolverines in
Friday's home contest. Compare that six to Michigan's two, and it becomes
evident from where the 30-point margin of Iowa's victory stemmed.
The point is this: as well as Michigan plays, or as successfully as it may
illustrate the strides the team has made, Michigan could not, and probably
will not, overcome certain factors out of its hands. Like height.
And numbers.
Against Iowa, the Wolverines faced a squad equal in depth as it was in
height. Stringer not only brought the country's third-ranked team into Ann
Arbor ready to pounce on Michigan, as demonstrated by Iowa's 24-7 advan-
tage in the early going, but also a team 11 players deep.
"They just kept coming and coming!" Roberts exclaimed following the
game.
A most accurate assessment indeed. With just under four minutes gone in
the game, one more Hawkeye had seen action than Michigan had available
on its team. But this scenario has become rather familiar to the Wolverines,
and it stands as Michigan's self-proclaimed primary obstacle.
In Michigan's loss to Minnesota yesterday, the Wolverines saw for
themselves that they must be held accountable for some of their ill fortune
this season. With 6:45 remaining, a Trish Andrew one-hander in the lane put
the Wolverines up by one. What ensued, however, remained strikingly true-
to-form. Poorly timed fouls, stray passes, and peculiar shot selection stung
the Wolverines as the game, once again, slipped away.
Roberts attributes her team's problems in the home stretch to poor re-
bounding. O.K. But what about 25 fouls and 28 turnovers? Does frustration
set in in the offense as the clock winds down and the Wolverines are on the
short end of the score? Several of the costly turnovers occurred as sponta-
neous long throws from the backcourt into the offensive zone were easily
picked off. Others happened when the ball dribbled out of bounds after two
or three Wolverines fought each other for rebounds.
This frustration seems natural while sporting a 1-16 record (0-8 in the
Big Ten). Had the Wolverines been blown out of each previous contest, the
signal to Roberts' team would be crystal clear: a lack of smart thinking and
leadership on the court. Not the case here. Despite sporting a single win, this
team has been close. Really close. But only one cigar.
Thus, the signals are mixed and difficult to interpret. Are the Wolverines
becoming flustered at the end? Are they remaining too cautious in their of-
fensive approach at the end? Or, are they just trying too hard when down a
few points in the closing minutes?
Unlike those factors plaguing the Wolverines against Stringer's
Hawkeyes, the Wolverines do indeed control the ability to remedy their
trouble spots. This team has also demonstrated the ability to adjust to con-
straining circumstances throughout the season. Guided by a sympathetic
and, as judged by her peers, a supremely capable instructor, Trish Roberts'
Wolverines should add to their cigar collection before long.
by Mike Hill
Daily Basketball Writer
It seems like the Michigan wom-
en's basketball team (0-8 Big Ten,
1-16 overall) keeps playing the same
game over and over again.
The last five minutes of basket-
ball has killed the Wolverines in re-
cent games against Detroit Mercy,
Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin,
and now Minnesota.
A combination of 28 Michigan
turnovers and the play of Minneso-
ta's Carol Ann Shudlick stymied the
Wolverines. Shudlick, the Big Ten's
leading scorer, notched 22 points as
the Golden Gophers (5-2, 10-5)
pulled out the victory, 71-62. But,
more importantly, she snatched two
offensive rebounds off of missed
free throws during crunch time.
"I think the last few minutes of
the game, players start playing, in-
stead of to win, not to lose," Michi-
gan coach Trish Roberts said. "We
made quite a few turnovers towards
the end. And I think we were playing
a little bit too cautious instead of tak-
ing it right to them."
With 5:56 to play, Stacie McCall
buried two free throws to give the
Wolverines a 55-53 lead. But it
wouldn't last for long. Led by the
clutch rebounding of Shudlick, the
Gophers went on an eight-point run
starting at the 5:45 mark. The spurt
gave Minnesota a 61-55 lead, one it
would not relinquish.
Minutes later, Jen Nuanes' triple
cut the Gopher lead to four, 66-62.
But Minnesota cleaned up, scoring
the last six points of the contest.
"I glad this one's over," Min-
nesota coach Linda Hill-MacDonald
said. "That was a scary game. I'm
proud of the effort the Gophers put
on the floor today. There was a point
there in the second half where we
could have just folded. We just had a
resurgence and reorganized our-
selves out there on the floor and got
things going.
"We came right back at Michigan
when Michigan was coming back at
us pretty strong. So we've come a
long way."
"A long way" may be a bit of an
understatement. A year ago, Min-
nesota sat next to the Wolverines in
the cellar of the Big Ten. The
Golden Gophers won just eight
games last year, losing twice to
Michigan. But how quickly things
change.
A year later, the Gophers have
emerged as the conference spoilers.
Last weekend, Minnesota knocked
off a pair of highly-ranked Big Ten
contenders. The Gophers buried No.
15 Purdue, 67-51, and No. 23 Indi-
ana, 80-70. Throw in a victory over
then-top 25 Kansas and Minnesota is
the surprise team of the conference.
"Last year was my second year
with this team," Hill-MacDonald
said. "I think that (the Minnesota
players) understand the system now.
They understand what's expected of
them. And I think probably the
number one factor is the dedication
of these athletes in the off-season to
better themselves. They really have
made a commitment to being the
best that they can be."
Trish Andrew led the way for the
Wolverines with 19 points and 17
boards. Her 12th rebound of the
game gave her the Michigan career
rebounding record. And despite out-
rebounding the Gophers, 43-31,
Roberts was unhappy with her
team's play in the paint.
"We've got to rebound," Roberts
said. "We made some fouls towards
the end, hoping they'd miss their
free throws. They did. But they got
their rebounds. That's something
that's been the history of this team.
We can't seem to get enough offen-
sive rebounds where we can get two
or three shots. But we're giving up
probably an average of 18 offensive
boards a game."
Michigan again came up empty
in the win column this weekend.
Friday night, No. 3 Iowa (6-0, 14-1)
made easy pickings of the Wolver-
ines. Michigan got on the board first
with an Andrew layup. But the
Hawkeyes answered with a 24-5 run,
enabling them to coast to victory,
84-54.
Iowa's balanced offensive attack
featured five players in double fig-
ures. Junior Nicole Tunsil and De-
troit native Laurie Aaron led the
,
4.
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ERIK ANGERMEIER/Daily
Senior forward Trish Andrew looks to pass against Minnesota yesterday.
Hawkeye charge with 19 and 18
points, respectively. Andrew again
led the Wolverines with 22 points.
"One thing we have to look at is
the positives of this game," McCall
said. "We know Iowa's No. 3. We
can't get frustrated with each other.
We have to work on our defense and
the little things for the next game.
We just have to play hard for 40
minutes."
To the Wolverines' credit, the
Iowa lead did not expand until the
closing minutes. After the opening
minute spurt, Michigan traded bas-
kets with the Hawkeyes for the ma-
jority of the game. Iowa's ability to
go 11 deep (Michigan has been
dressing only eight) gave the
Hawkeyes the ability to play hard for
the entire game.
"It's not fun to go out there and
lose every night," Roberts said. "But
if you're going to lose, lose with
pride. Go out with a fight. And that's
something our players have been
doing."
t
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IOWA (84) FG FT Rob.
Min. M-A M-A 0-T A F Ps..
Aaron 34 8-14 0-0 1-2 7 4 18
Jackson 30 6-11 1-2 2-2 2 3 13
-Harmon 20 0-2 2-4 2-6 0 3 2
Tunsl" 33 9-15 1-2 1-7 2 2 19
Foster 16 2-6 0-0 1-4 1 1 4
Vbrough 7 1-2 0-0 0-0 3 0 2
Clayton 9 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
Dilnham 13 00 3-4 1-720 3
Mackln 7 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 2
Tdeback 18 4-7 2-3 1-4 0 2 10
W ~13 47:Z3-4 46 0 3 11
Toas 00335 612-1913.40 1918 8
FG%-. 30. FT%- .632. Three-point goals: 2-
85,.400 (Aaron 2-4, Jackson 0-1). Team rebounds:
1. Blocks: I (Marx). Turnovers: 14 (Tunsil 4,
Mackliln 3, Jackson 2, Aaron, Clayton, Foster,
Marx, Tideback. Steals: 17 (Aaron 6, Tunsil 4,
Jackson 3, Dllngham, Mackln, Tideback,
a 6brh). Technical fouls: None.
FQ FT Rob.
Min. M-A M-A 0-T A F Pts.
McCall 30 2-8 2-2 0-1 4 0 6
Nuanes 34 3-7 1-3 2-5 4 2 9
Andrew 33 10-20 2-3 1-6 2 5 22
Gray 35 0-4 1-4 4-9 4 2 1
Stewart 29 3-6 0-0 0-3 1 0 7
44llkknen 16 2-3 0-0 1-2 0 2 4
Turner 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
72 1- 34 1.3 0
alei 20021-52 9-16 9-321515 54
FG%-.403. FT%-.562. Three-point goals: 3-
18, .375 (Nuanes 2-3, Stewart 1-2, Andrew 0-2,
,'McCaIl 0-1). Team rebounds: 3. Blocks: 0.
Turnovers: 27 (Gray 6 McCall 5, Andrew 4,
Beaudry 4, Helknen 4, Stewart 3, Nuanes).
Steals: 2 (Andrew, Nuanes). Technical fouls:
None.
lowa.................. 46 38 -84
Michigan........28 26 -54
At Cridler Arena, A-775
MINNESOTA $71) FT Reb.
Mi. U-A M -A O-T A F Pts.
Coates 37 5-9 2-3 0-4 3 3 15
Flint 39 3-12 11-13 4-8 4 3 17
Shudlick 37 10-22 2-2 2-6 0 1 22
Carver 22 1-4 1-3 1-6 1 2 4
Pearson 18 1-7 2-2 1-1 0 5 4
Wbeecher 19 0-1 0-1 1-2 2 2 0
Alexander 3 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 2 0
Loeblein 9 0-1 0-0 1-4 2 1 0
Lawler 13 3-6 3-5 0-0 0 2 9
Stafford 3 0-0 0-0 M0 0 0 0
Totals 20023-6321-2910-341221 71
FG%- .365. FTY- .724. Three-point goals: 4-
7,.571 (Coates 3-4, Carver 1-3). Team rebounds:
3. Blocks: 3 (Flint 2, Shudlick). Turnovers: 14
(Shudlick 6, Klotzbeecher 3, Stafford 2, Flint,
Loeblein, Pearson). Steals: 20 (Coates 5, Shudlick
5, Flint 3, Carver 2, Klotzbeecher 2, Pearson 2,
Lawler). Technical fouls: None.
MICHIGAN (62)
FG FT Rob.
Mn. M-A M-A O-T A F Pts.
McCall 21 1-4 5-6 0-0 2 3 7
Nuanes 40 3-10 2-2 2-5 5 3 10
Andrew 40 7-17 4-4 3-17 2 3 19
Gray 34 4-9 1-1 1-13 1 4 9
Stewart 29 2-3 3-3 0-3 4 5 7
Heiikkinen 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 2 0
Turner 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Tetals 20018-4723-26 6.431625 62
FG%- .383. FT%- .885. Three-point goals: 3-
12, .250 (Nuanes 2-9, Andrew 1-1, Gray 0-1,
Stewart 0-1). Team rebounds: 1. Blocks: 3
Andrew 3). 'Turnovers: 28 (Andrew 6, Nuanes 6,
Gray 4, McCall 4, Stewart 4). Steals: 13 (Nuanes
7, Andrew 3, Beaudry, Gray, McCall). Technical
fouls: None.
Minnesota........ 37 34 - 71
Michigan........35 27 - 62
At Crisler Arena, A-310
BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
by Mike Hill and
Rich Mitvalsky
Daily Basketball Writers
Last weekend, Michigan senior center Trish Andrew recorded her
1400th point and played in the 100th game of her career. The records keep
rolling in.
Andrew, also Michigan's all-time shot blocking leader, grabbed 17 re-
bounds against Minnesota yesterday to become the career leader with 826.
Andrew passed Tanya Powell who had 820 boards over her four year career,
beginning in 1986.
"I wasn't aware of (the record)," Andrew said. "I can't sit here and get
excited over being an all-time rebounder when our team's biggest problem
right now is rebounding. So, although its nice looking back when I'm done
with the season, it'll be nice to say that that was one of the accomplish-
ments. But right now, I have to look ahead on what I have to improve on
and not be satisfied with where I stand."
BEAUDRY BOARDS: Senior forward Nikki Beaudry snared her 400th
career rebound against Iowa Friday evening, and extended that mark to 405
during the Minnesota game. Beaudry, a co-captain, also broke the 600 ca-
reer point barrier against the Gophers, tallying ten to extend her total to 609.
Beaudry remains one of three Wolverines with a scoring average in double
figures, maintaining an 11.3 average in each outing. Andrew (19.5 per
game) and Jen Nuanes (10.5 per game) complete the trio.
FIRST HALF PRESENCE: Despite getting outscored 46-28 in the first
stanza against No. 3 Iowa Friday night, the Wolverines should be somewhat
pleased with their point production. Michigan became only the third team to
score more than 27 points against the Hawkeyes in the first half.
IN TRIBUTE: Iowa players wear a white band on the left shoulder of
their uniforms with the initials WDS in memory of William D. Stringer.
Andrew continues to set
personal, Michigan records
Stringer was the husband of Iowa head coach C. Vivian Stringer. Stringer,
who worked closely with his wife's team, died suddenly of a heart attack the
morning before Thanksgiving.
REKINDLING OF OLD FOES: Michigan's Andrew and Iowa's Toni
Foster matched up yet again Friday night. Foster led Marshall High to the
Illinois Class A state championship over Andrew's New Trier High prep
squad.
Although Iowa knocked off the Wolverines, Andrew got the best of
Foster this time. The 6-foot-2 center scored 22 points, while Foster was held
to just four. Foster, who was reported to be under the weather, leads the:
Hawkeyes with 15.2 points per game.
UNCHARACTERISTIC ACCURACY: As a squad, the Wolverines aver-
age 67 percent from the charity stripe, having made just 212 of 316 this
year. Michigan stepped up its average considerably Sunday, sinking 23 of
26 for a scorching 89 percent. In the second half of that game, Michigan's
average was an even better 93 percent.
STREAKS ABANDONED: Previous to Sunday's game against Min-
nesota, the Wolverines had the Gophers number, winning the last seven
contests between the two schools, and subsequently sweeping the preceding,
three series. With their win, the Gophers not only halted that particular'
streak, but ended another, as Michigan, in addition, had claimed their last
five home meetings.
0l
DOMINATION, FOLKS: Michigan didn't stand much of a chance"
against the Hawkeyes. And they certainly haven't fared to well against them-
... ever. Iowa holds a 21-2 series advantage. Michigan's last win dates back
to 1986, when the Wolverines beat the Hawks 58-56 in Ann Arbor. -
TUBE TIME: While their first conference win still eludes them, the
Wolverines hope to impress the masses on February 21, when Michigan
takes on Ohio State. SportsChannel Chicago will televise the contest, held at-
Crisler Arena, which has been billed as the Big Ten Women's Game of the4
Week. The game has national cablevision potential as well, as SportsChan-
nel America hopes to pick up the game from it's regional affiliate.
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PDA
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TYesday's
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Cpecial
ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY...: In a highly touted matchup Satur4
day afternoon, much of the country saw top ranked Vanderbilt fall to second.
ranked Tennessee, 73-68, before a crowd of 15, 317. If that attendance mark.
seems remarkable, you're right. Currently, the Wolverines are drawing ar,
average of just over 600. And although the result of the game has no signifi-
cance on conference standings, third ranked Iowa stands to gain a positioq
in the national rankings with the victory.
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