Michigan Defeats UM in Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 65-50
Nov. 19, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – Michigan’s Ta’Shia Walker scored a game-high 17 points to lead four Wolverines (3-0) in double figures and the Wolverines shot 52.6 percent from three-point range to defeat the University of Miami, 65-50, in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge at the BankUnited Center Monday night. Senior guard Albrey Grimsley scored 14 points for the Hurricanes, who fell to 1-2.
Maurita Reid chipped in 11 points for UM. Miami out-rebounded its third straight opponent, holding a 36-34 advantage on the boards over the Wolverines. Carla Williams had a team-high nine rebounds. Michigan’s Jessica Minnfield posted 14 points, while Janelle Cooper added 13 points. Carly Benson had 10 points for Michigan.
Michigan finished shooting 53.5 percent from the field and made 10-of-19 three-pointers. UM forced 20 turnovers, but the Hurricanes shot just 31.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range.
Miami trimmed a 22-point second half deficit to 14 points twice as Eboni Sadler nailed a three-pointer with 11:10 on the clock pulling UM within, 53-38. Reid also made a three-pointer with 9:08 left to make it, 56-41, but that was as close as the Hurricanes would get.
Michigan built its largest lead of the game five minutes into the second half after a lay-up from Krista Phillips put Michigan ahead, 50-28, with 15:48 remaining. Miami then went on 10-3 run behind five points from Eboni Sadler cutting its lead to 14 points.
Michigan took a 39-22 lead into the half after shooting 63.6 percent from three-point range. Cooper led all scorers with 11 points. She made all three of her three-point attempts as the Wolverines connected on 7-of11 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Hurricanes led 17-10 with 11:29 left to go after going on a 15-4 run. Reid made two lay-ups, one on a fastbreak, and Cunningham made two threes putting Miami ahead by seven points. Michigan then closed the half with a 29-5 run for a 17-point lead at the half. Walker scored eight points in the final nine minutes of the half. She nailed back-to-back three-pointers with her final three coming at the 3:31 mark to put the Wolverines ahead, 30-21.
Sadler had seven points for Miami and LaToya Cunningham tallied six points.
Miami will host the UM Thanksgiving Tournament this weekend when the Hurricanes welcome Fordham, Butler and Monmouth. UM will face Fordham at 7 p.m. Friday night at the BankUnited Center.
