The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - November 18, 1996 - 9B 'M' cagers wage battle down low, sink Slovak Republic, 81-55 By Richard Shin Daily Sports Writer The cool, crisp air outside Crisler Arena on Friday night contrasted the heated intensity inside, as a fired-up Michigan women's basket- ball team defeated the Slovak Republic, 81-55. Although the game was only an exhibition and did not count toward the Wolverines' season record, the Wolverines took their first game as seriously as a midseason Big Ten matchup. "It feels good to get a win,' senior guard Jennifer Kiefer said. "I think that it's a good indication of where we are and what we need to work on to get ready for next week. "It was good to play someone besides our- selves." Behind the dominant performance of Polyanna Johns in the post, the Wolverines dic- tated the inside game against a taller, but weak- er Slovak team. Johns finished the game with 27 points behind 9-for-i I shooting and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Michigan established the inside game early with Johns and junior forward Tiffany Willard accounting for 26 of Michigan's 38 first-half points. Johns outplayed her Slovak counterparts, who, at times, resorted to fouling - forcing her to hit free-throws. The Slovaks' five centers accounted for 18 fouls and 6-foot-2 Lucie Prochazkova fouled out of the game with over six minutes left in the second half. Sending Johns and Willard to the free-throw line did not prove beneficial for the Slovaks, as the two combined to shoot 18-for-20 from the charity stripe, each hitting 9 of 10. "That's what I expect from Johns" Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "I thought that (Johns and Willard) played physical inside, and I've been after them all week about being physical and being cutters." In the first half, the Slovaks matched the Wolverines in aggressiveness, using fast-break opportunities to trim the deficit to 20-19 with a little over eight minutes left. Michigan extended the lead to as much as 10, again taking advan- tage of its strength inside. After a Michigan timeout with 1:45 left in the half, the Slovaks used full-court pressure to force two turnovers and convert two quick bas- kets to cut the lead to four points going into half- time. The turning point in the game came after a 7- 1 run by the Slovak Republic to start the second half. Michigan called a timeout, trailing 41-39, and Guevara rallied her players. "We (had) broken down defensively and I told them what they had to do;' Guevara said. "When we went down, I thought the kids came back - they didn't buckle - they took the lead, and then we went." The Wolverines responded to Guevara's pep talk, taking the lead on Amy Johnson's 3-point basket. From that point on, Michigan never trailed in the game, outscoring the Slovak Republic 42-14 in the final 15 minutes. Michigan went back to Johns and Willard in the interior toward the end of the game and wore down the Slovak Republic, which was playing its fourth game in as many days. Instrumental to Michigan's second-half surge was the play of senior guard Amy Johnson, who provided a much-needed spark coming off the bench. Johnson connected on all five shots she attempted in the second half, including two from behind the arc. All told, Johnson finished with 12 points in the half and scored 15 in the game. In fact, all of the guards picked up their play after struggling in the early minutes of the sec- ond half, including freshmen Stacey Thomas and Kenisha Walker. In limited playing time, Walker brought the crowd to its feet, scoring on a running jumper as she was fouled. She converted on the foul shot to complete the 3-point play, and finished the game with five points. Thomas grabbed four rebounds and hit lier only shot attempt. Although the speedy guard committed five turnovers, Guevara is looking for Thomas to be more involved in the offense. "For Thomas to take one shot in a game - that's not acceptable," Guevara said. "She is very quick, and she is going to be an offensive threat. You just didn't see it tonight. "She had a freshman first night.' In the impressive victory, the Wolverines played with an intensity that was not present for most of last season. The spark is due in part to Guevara's animated nature, and in part because the players are ... well, happy. "This year everyone is just more relaxed and they're just going out there and having fun," Johns said. "When you're having fun, you play better. "(Guevara) just makes it much better." MARGARET MYERS/Daily The Michigan women's basketball team won its first game under coach Sue Guevara Friday night, beat- ing the Slovak Republic, 81-55. Amy Johnson spurred the Wolverines with 12 second-half points. 'New coach, new attitude for Blue By Pranay Reddy Daily Sports Writer Something peculiar happened Friday night during the Michigan women's bas- ketball game at Crisler Arena. The crowd was cheering and the play- Wrs were screaming, but most unusual of all - the coach was excited. Though common to many women's basketball programs across the country, it was definitely a change of pace for Michigan. And that pace was being set by interim head coach Sue Guevara - a stunning contrast to previous coach Trish Roberts' stoic demeanor. Guevara explained her animated antics along the bench. "I have a lot of energy, and I can't sit -bn a bench;" she said. "I sat on a bench for 15 years when I was an assistant - it's time to walk. "That's just me - that's who I am?' And it was Guevara who led the emo- tional charge for Wolverines, as they walked all over the Slovak Republic. Early in the season, it might have to be Guevara who takes the reins of the Wolverines, while an on-court presence Os established. However, she is more than ready to give up that position. "Right now I'm waiting for someone to emerge as the leader" Guevara said. "I'm waiting for somebody to take everybody and just kick them in the butt?' And after a dominating performance Friday night, it looks like junior center Pollyanna Johns is more than capable of doing just that. With her 27 points and 11 rebounds, Johns led by example. Johns' play, in " ea addition to the play of senior guard Amy: Johnson, gives Michigan a o promising core of leaders. Throw in Jennifer Kiefer, Catherine DiGiacinto, Mekisha Ross and Silver Shellman, and the Wolverines have more seniors on this squad than in the past two seasons com- bined. "I think that (our leadership) is key," Kiefer said. "It is important that we set a good example for (the rest of the team)." Nevertheless, the seniors won't be the only ones responsible for setting the tone this season for Michigan. As opposed to last season, the Wolverines will have a coach, in Guevara, who is more than willing to express some emotion in the Michigan lockerroom. "(Guevara) is definitely more animat- ed," Kiefer said. "She's getting people pumped up and fired up to get out there and play. We're just really excited with the change. "We're having a lot more fun out there?' With a long season looming, just how long will it be until the games stop being fun for Michigan? It's a question that isn't a concern to the team if you ask Johns. "I don't want us to focus on the win- loss record," Johns said. "I just want us to get better as a team." And it looks like Michigan won't have too difficult a time getting better. After finishing last season with a 1-15 record in the Big Ten and a 7-20 record overall, the Wolverines can only go one way - up. A newfound intensity among Michigan's coaches will only help a squad that had trouble getting fired up for games last season. Even with the Michigan bench spurred by Guevara, it will take more than her energy to turn the Wolverines around. Guevara knows this all too well. "I'm into the game and I want my players to be into the game?' Tuffy Does It Right : ANY BRAKE I BATTERY STARTER, M b WORK *ALTERNATOR BELTS ° OR ; & HOSES CHECK °LUBEJOIIILTER; # . g v of uaht motor ol;chassis i OFF20=FREE.ehs - * 'In leuUoother offers SIn leu itofotoers Mst casandightf rucs Inlieu oother offers Most cars and lght tucks -LUBE FL) FilT ER SERVICE GOOD AT ANN ARBORS *E M ME E EEUEEEEEEEEEEEEUM B MMEBMMB MMEEEEE ME MMME EEE N W LOCATION ANN ARBOR 930,6949 0 2405 W. Stadium Just S. of Jackson YPSILANTI 434-1090 * 2441 Washtenaw Ave. II i. I .s 46I / LONDON CLINICAL INTERNSHIPS May 27 -July 18 HONG KONG TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS ,,t QQi aJe o a . * r 'V-- #1. June 5 -July 18 Medium 1 top $4.99 Or #2. 2 for $9.98 ZIMBABWE C T TTTiAT TNTFNC-TPC #3. Large 1 top $6.99 Or #4.2 for $13 #5. Medium 1 top & Buffalo Wings $8.99 #6. Medium 1 top & 2-20 oz. Cokes $6.99 #7. Breadsticks & Dipping Sauce-990 JO A AA ......1.....F l L. iP.h6I.. e o d i00 .98