University of Toledo
Michigan
Rockets Falls to Michigan in Home Opener, 44-41
11/22/2006 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery 
TOLEDO, OH - Toledo (1-3) dropped its home opener Wednesday night, suffering a 44-41 setback to Michigan (4-1) at Savage Hall.
The Rockets, who entered the contest last in the MAC in both scoring (58.3 ppg) and three-point field goals made (2.67), were limited to 24.5 percent (13-of-53) shooting from the field, including 14.3 percent (2-for-14) from beyond the arc. UT was also hindered by 22 turnovers and suffered its third loss in the first four games of the season.
The Wolverines did not fare much better at the offensive end of the floor, as they shot just 29.8 percent (17-of-57) overall and 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from three-point land. Michigan was also guilty of committing 24 turnovers.
"We showed great effort tonight," Toledo Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. "I thought we did a good job defensively, but at the same time, we're struggling with our offensive consistency. We have no one stepping up and making big shots for us. As poorly as we played offensively, we still had a chance to win in the last minute due to our defensive effort."
Michigan looked good early and raced out to a 9-0 lead in the first five minutes. The Rockets were held off the scoreboard until sophomore Diana Reindl, who finished with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds, converted a layup with 14:33 left in the opening stanza.
UT's first-half shooting woes continued tonight, as the home team missed 12 of its first 14 shots from the floor in the opening 12-plus minutes, but only trailed by six points, 14-8. After four games, the Rockets are shooting just 28.8 percent (30-of-104) from the field in the first 20 minutes.
Despite their shooting woes, the Rockets stayed within striking distance and back-to-back baskets by juniors Tamesha Scotton and Nacole Stocks cut the deficit to 14-12 with 6:51 left in the opening half.
Michigan's Krista Phillips quickly countered with consecutive field goals to push the visitors lead back to six points, 18-12. UT refused to go quietly in the waning minutes of the half and five-consecutive points scored cut the deficit to 18-17 at the intermission.
The Rockets shot 24.0 percent (6-of-25) in the first half and committed 12 turnovers. Despite its lack of offensive fire power, Toledo held its own on defense and limited Michigan to only 26.7 percent (8-of-30) shooting, including four points the last eight-and-a-half minutes to make it a one-point game at the half.
The Wolverines started the second half the same way it opened the game with a mini run and scored the first six points to run their lead to 24-17. The teams then traded baskets, before Michigan's Jessica Minnifield drilled a three-pointer to establish a 10-point advantage, 29-19, with 15:42 left. Another three-pointer by the Wolverines' Janelle Cooper quickly followed to extend the lead to 36-22 at 12:10 and forced UT into calling its second timeout of the half.
The ensuing six-plus minutes for the Rockets were crucial, as they again began to chip away at the deficit and pulled within 39-36 with 6:27 left. It was their defense that kept them close, holding Michigan without a field for over seven minutes.
The deficit did not exceed four points the rest of the contest. Trailing 42-41 with 1:17 left, Toledo had a chance to take the lead but was guilty of a turnover and a missed jumper. Michigan could also not get a good grip on the ball and was also guilty of a turnover on its ensuing possession to give it right back with 29.4 seconds left.
Following a UT timeout, junior Kristy Zeller misfired on a three-pointer with 18 seconds left and Michigan's Stephany Skrba was immediately fouled. She hit both free throws to make it a three-point game, 44-41. The Rockets raced the ball down the floor and senior Danielle Bishop could not conect on another triple and again UT fouled right away. UofM's Minnfield missed the front end of the one-and-one to give the Rockets one-last chance, but Bishop's desperation three-pointer bounced off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
The Rockets return to action on Sunday, Nov. 26 to battle Temple in non-conference action at home. Tipoff from Savage Hall is slated for 2:00 p.m.
"We now have two days to get ready for very solid defensive team in Temple," Ehlen said. "We've got to be able to execute better offensively. Our defense gave us an opportunity to win tonight's game, but we didn't have a player step up and make the shot for us."
