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Blue blows by Nittany Lions
By Danielle Rumore
Daily Sports Editor
While former Michigan standouts Terry
Mills and Glen Rice prepared for the 3-
point shootout as part of the NBA All-Star
Game festivities in Cleveland, current
Michigan standout Louis Bullock had his
shooting contest.
nd he won.
At 3:51 of the first half of the game
- a g a
inst
Michigan 81 Penn State
Penn State 4 Saturday,
Bu t i o ck
squared up
and buried a 3-pointer, the 136th of his
career and his first of the day, to top Rice's
p jous record of 135 career triples.
Bullock received the game ball from
Michigan coach Steve Fisher, and then went
on to score 11 total points as the tyXenty-
third-ranked Wolverines (7-4 Big Ten, 17-6
overall) downed the Nittany Lions (1-10, 8-
12), 81-64, at Crisler Arena in front of a
crowd of 13,423.
"I'll let Glen Rice take on everyone in the
NBA. I'm just fine here," Bullock said.
"I never think about when I take a shot. I
got an open look, and I was able to knock it
down. It felt good because I got it out of the
way. I was glad to have it early; that way I
can just go ahead and play the rest of the
game without that on my mind."
With Saturday's win, the Wolverines
swept the Lions this season, having topped
them, 67-59, at University Park Jan. 28. The
Wolverines shot just 40.7 percent from the
field and had 17 turnovers in that game.
Despite matching their turnover margin
this Saturday, the Wolverines shot a blister-
ing 55.8 percent from the field, their fourth
highest percentage this season, and 58.3
percent from 3-point range.
Jerod Ward was Michigan's leading scor-
er, finishing with 19 points and two steals,
tying his career record for points and steals.
In fact, Ward, Bullock and Robert Traylor
- three of Michigan's starting five - fin-
ished in double-digits.
"Jerod had the best half of his Michigan
career," Fisher said. "The first half was the
best he's played since he's been here. He
was more than a catch-and-shoot basketball
player, and I like that."
After sustaining a broken nose and con-
cussion against Wisconsin last Thursday,
Maurice Taylor was fitted for a face mask
- which he said he will probably wear for
the remainder of the Big Ten season -
making him look more like a movie serial
killer than a basketball player.
"One of the walk-ons, Ryan DeKuiper,
said I looked like Michael Myers," Taylor
said. "Then the trainer got on me, and they
thought I needed a chainsaw."
Chainsaw or not, Taylor came off the
bench and finished with 14 points and five
boards despite taking another blow to the
nose early in the first half.
"As soon as I came in, I took a blow to
it," Taylor said. "After the first blow (to my
nose), I was like, 'Oh, my God. I can't take
too many more of those.' I didn't want to
shy away from any contact because of my
nose."
In the first game between the two teams
in January, the Lions played without
Rashaan Carlton, who was nursing an
arthritic knee, and Phil Williams, who
attended a family funeral. Their absence
left a gaping hole in the middle for the
Lions.
But they played on Saturday, joined by
the Lions' rail-thin shot-block specialist,
center Calvin Booth, and forward Jarrett
See PENN STATE, Page 5B
MARK FRIE
Louis Bullock received an embrace from Maurice Tayl
he broke Michigan's career 3-point record on Saturda
TWICE IS NOT SO NICE
place In
history was
set long ago
It took almost the entire first half,
but that was hardly a long time to
wait. Not for Louis Bullock.
Michigan's career 3-point mark
was his for the taking. After only 1
1/2 seasons, he needed just one three
to claim a school record as his own.
Everyone - including Bullock -
knew it was going to happen
Saturday. It was just a matter of time.
The Crisler crowd was already
standing when
his first attempt
glanced harm-
lessly off the
rim. It took him
almost 12 min-
utes to wriggle
free for another JOHN
shot at history.
And when that LEROI
one fell, just like Out of
the 135 before it, Bounds
Louis Bullock
was content to jog back down the
floor and play defense. No raised
hands. No Reggie Miller imperson-
ations. Nothing to indicate that this
slim 19-year-old, in only 55 games,
had just broken Glen Rice's career 3-
point record at Michigan.
If the referees hadn't stopped the
game, Bullock would have gone
about his business. His teammates
hugged him, but he hardlyhugged
them back.
"I feel I sell myself short and sell
my teammates short if I start thinking
about breaking records," Bullock
said. "I'm just glad to get it over
with."
This wasn't just another athlete try-
ing to act modest. Bullock meant it.
The record was his. It's not as if he
doesn't want it, he just doesn't care
as much as you might think.
Though Bullock snagged himself a
piece of the record books Saturday,
his place in Michigan history was
earned long ago.
In actuality, the record means little.
Rice, though he played just three sea-
sons with the 3-point line, could have
had far more than 135.
He sank just 36 threes during his
sophomore and junior seasons when
then-Michigan coach Bill Frieder
needed him down low more than he
did behind the arc.
Rice exploded in his senior year,
netting 99 threes - a Michigan sin-
gle-season record Bullock will have
trouble matching this year. He fin-
ished his career having hit 48 percent
of his shots from 3-point range -
another school record. If Frieder had
let him bomb away the previous two
seasons, Rice would have likely dou-
bled his career mark.
One hundred thirty-five threes is
not a lot.
Still, Bullock should be applauded
- but not for breaking Rice's record
in such a short amount of time.
He should be appreciated beacuse
he is Michigan's best player, though
everyone sang the praises of Maurice
Taylor when the season began.
He should be praised beacuse he is
a terrific basketball player and a phe-
nomonal shooter. And unlike some
other Wolverines, he'll only get bet-
ter.
State nabs Michigan again
after Blue win over Lakers
Di
By Andy Knudsen
Daily Sports Writer
DETROIT - Lightning may not strike twice,
but the Spartans did.
For the second time this year, Michigan State
handed No. 1 Michigan a one-goal loss - this
time a 2-1 decision Saturday in front of a sellout
crowd of 19,983 at Joe Louis Arena.
With a 5-2 victory over Lake Superior on
Friday at Joe Louis, the Wolverines (17-2-2
CCHA, 26-2-3 overall) still hold a five-point lead
in the CCHA.
Saturday's loss ended Michigan's school-record
23-game unbeaten streak which began after its 5-
4 loss at East Lansing on Nov. 2.
"Every game they've played against us they've
played tough," Michigan coach Red Berenson
said of the Spartans. "We haven't lost in awhile,
but we've got to learn from this loss."
Neither team could get on the board in the first
two periods as Michigan goaltender Marty Turco
was perfect on 24 shots and Michigan State goalie
Chad Alban stopped all 13 shots he faced.
"Turco, probably, was the difference in the
game," Berenson said. "He was keeping us in the
game more than Alban was keeping them in the
game. They were getting better chances and more
shots."
Those chances finally paid off for the Spartans
in the third period.
Michigan State (13-5-3, 17-9-3) opened the
scoring at 5:18 of the third when center Mike York
finished off a 2-on-I break. York's shot just bare-
ly rolled inside the left post and over the line
before Turco covered the puck.
Just 50 seconds later, the Spartans capitalized
on a Sean Ritchlin cross-checking penalty, as
ly defenseman Chris Bogus' shot from the top of the
left circle was redirected by Tony Tuzzolino past
Turco.
Defensman Blake Sloan finally broke a 79-
minute Michigan scoring drought, going back to
Friday's game, when his shot from the left point
on the power play was deflected off Michigan
State defenseman Tyler Harlton's skate and
through Alban's five-hole with 3:13 left in the
game.
The goal - Sloan's first of the season -
sparked the Wolverines' play, as they had a few
good chances to tie.
"You always think you're going to get a tying
goal," Sloan said.
But the Wolverines couldn't tie it in the closing
minutes and were held to less than three goals for
the first time this season.
"They blocked a lot; they sacrificed their bod-
ies," Michigan captain Brendan Morrison said.
"They made the sacrifices that got them the win;
and we just didn't do the little things that we need-
ed to do."
Morrison said that the loss may be good for
Michigan.
"I think it was good tonight to sit in our locker-
room and hear Michigan State celebrate," he said.
"I think it really hit home hard tonight. This is a
good indicator that we need everyone to show up
every night."
The Wolverines were also shut out in two of
three periods Friday against Lake Superior (14-6-
3, 18-10-4). The difference was that they sank the
Lakers with five goals in the second.
Right wing Jason Sessa scored at 4:58 of the
first period, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead at the
first intermission.
But left wing Greg Crozier tied the game at
4:08 of the second after he stopped a Lakers clear-
ing attempt in the left corner during a power play.
See SPARTANS, Page 4B
WARREN ZINN/Dail
Left wing Brian Crane and the Spartans didn't let their confidence get sandwiched by Michigan's No. 1
ranking or its 23-game win streak. Michigan State is responsible for both of Michigan's losses.
Unfinished business
Back from injury, Lemire eyes improving her game
By Richard Shin
Daily Sports Writer
ain and agony. Months of rehabilitation.
No, it's not what follows a term of
organic chemistry, it's what follows a
torn anterior cruciate ligament, a dehabilitating
knee injury that requires reconstructive surgery.
It's what Michigan women's basketball player
Ann Lemire faced last season after tearing the
ACL in her right knee only seven games into her
freshman season.
At the time of her injury, the Wolverines were a
respectable 4-3 entering their final two non-confer-
ence games, which they won. The grueling Big Ten
schedule that followed produced a 1-15 conference
record. It was hard on a team that had endured two
disasterous conference campaigns in the previous
two seasons. It was hard on a team trying to under-
stand its coach, Trish Roberts, who resigned after
"It was very hard, especially to see my team-
mates that unhappy, and not really knowing what
they felt. It was hard to see them go through that."
And for Lemire, playing basketball had never
really been that hard.
She credits her father, Jerome, who played at
Central Michigan, for cultivating her interest in
sports. Ann Lemire started running at a very early
age and often accompanied her father to the gym.
At Frankenmuth High School, she set scoring,
assist and steal records, leading Frankenmuth to a
state title in 1993 and a 97-7 record in four years.
In '95, Lemire led the team to the state semifinals,
averaging 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists
as a senior, and she was named to the all-confer-
ence team all four years of her high school career.
As a senior, Lemire was named Miss Michigan
basketball runner-up and was an Honorable
Mention All-American. Her decision to attend
Michigan was based not only on what the school
but I know that I'll be prepared coming out of
Michigan.".
Lemire's mother, Judith, says that her daughter
carefully weighed her options before choosing
Michigan.
"It was pretty much her decision, but Ann
has always been a hometown girl,"
Judith says. "She had to weigh the°
possibility that if she went out-of-.
state, then her parents, relatives
and friends wouldn't be there to
support her.
"I think that played a big part in
her decision."
As a freshman at Michigan,
Lemire started the first game of her
career against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She turned in
a 15-point performance and helped lead the
Wolverines to a 86-77 victory. In the seventh game
of her career, she had the best performance of her
freshan ver in a Michian iuniform: nouinnain
He's on his way to being one of the
conference's best outside shooters
ever. He even has a shot at breaking
Shawn Resperts' Big Ten record of
331 triples in a career - a much
more meanigful mark than the one he
acheived Saturday.
What makes Bullock special is
this: he's the best pure shooter the
Wolverines have had since Rice.
When Bullock came to Ann Arbor in
1995, he was expected to be
Michigan's savior, what Bobby
Crawford and Jimmy King were not:
a long-range wizzard.
Before his freshman season, sports
writers actually wanted to see
Bullock shoot at media day - an
event usually reserved for player
introductions and interviews -just
to make sure Fisher had actually
landed a shooter with a Midas touch.
Bullock was as quiet and stoic that
day as he was Saturday. He didn't
look or act like a basketball player.
But he was one.
As for 3-point records, Bullock
could care less. He kept the basket-
ball he shot the record-breaking three
with. But he couldn't even find it
after the game.
It'll go home with his parents when
they visit next week, but not before
each one of his teammates - walk-
ons and all - sign it.
,
5'
the season.
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