2/7/06- A Bad Situation Gets Worse

The Michigan Women's Basketball 2005-06 Pain and Suffering
Tour remained at home in Ann Arbor for what appeared to be a decent
chance for a victory against Wisconsin. The Badgers came in with only
a slightly better record than Michigan's, and with the home court
advantage hopes were high that this could finally be the day that the
young Wolverines would taste sweet victory in a Big Ten game. Over
3,000 fans were in attendance at Crisler Arena not only for the
Michigan-Wisconsin contest but also for Michigan's celebration of
National Girls and Women in Sports Day. There was an award
presentation at halftime to honor those who have worked to promote
sports opportunities for women and girls, and Michigan female athletes
from a variety of sports were on hand to sign autographs, including
for this super fan.

Well, so what about that game against the Badgers, anyway?
Wisconsin took the initial momentum and led 13-3. Janelle Cooper
started a Maize and Blue rally with a three pointer, then Carly Benson
went "coast to coast" to get Michigan to within seven.

Another Wisconsin run was followed by another Michigan
rally, this one led by Ta'Shia Walker. Michigan trailed by just five
at this point, but the Badgers boosted the lead back to nine at
halftime.

Michigan started strong after the break, with Katie
Dierdorf and Stephany Skrba leading the charge. With 13:09 to go,
Krista Clement connected on a triple and all of a sudden Michigan was
two points from tying the score.

That was as good as it would get, as Wisconsin pulled away
to win by ten, 75-65. Michigan fought hard until the end but fell
agonizingly short once again.

Wisconsin outrebounded Michigan and also shot better from
the floor. Cooper led Michigan in scoring with 13, while Skrba and
Dierdorf had a dozen each. Top rebounder was Skrba with nine, while
Clement had the same number of assists.

Next up was a trip to Penn State to face the once great
and now average at best Lions. I will refrain from editorializing
about their coach whose name I would rather not mention. Let's just
say I do not care for her very much in any number of ways.

Michigan started out very impressively in this game, as
Skrba and Jessica Minnfield led the Wolverines to a 20-8 lead. Maybe,
just maybe, this would at last be the Wolverine's time to shine.

Penn State chipped away at the deficit and gained a one
point lead with 2:44 left in the opening half. It got worse from there
for the visitors, and when the buzzer sounded it was the Lions by ten.

Michigan needed to get some momentum back as the second
half began, but were unable to do so and fell behind by 14. Dierdorf
and Cooper led a run that cut the Penn State lead to 54-47, then Skrba
and Dierdorf got it to 55-51. Once again victory looked very possible,
but then as seems to be the case so often this season, it all fell
apart. Michigan failed to score for over five minutes, and when they
did tally some more points it was too little too late. Final score
78-62, with Michigan on the short end.

Some key team stats: Michigan was outrebounded and also
allowed 52 percent shooting while only making 38 percent of their own
shots. Dierdorf and Cooper led in scoring with a dozen each while
Skrba added 10. Clement made good on three three point shots. The
rebounding leader was Skrba with nine and Melinda Queen had five
assists.

And so the so-called "easier" part of Michigan's
conference schedule had passed with nary a win for the Wolverines. All
that remains now are rematches with six teams that have already beaten
Michigan, beginning with Minnesota on the road. That would be number
16 in the U.S. of A. Minnesota.

The Gophers scored the first nine points, then Michigan
managed to keep it close for about five minutes or so. Minnesota then
went on a run to go ahead by twelve, followed by a Michigan rally to
get within seven. Michigan would get no closer in the half, as
Minnesota doubled their lead to 14 at the break.

Queen and Cooper tallied early points in the second frame
and Michigan trailed by 11. Then it was the Gophers with a nine point
flurry to go up by 20. Queen scored a couple of hoops to make it a bit
closer, but Minnesota kicked it into overdrive and went up by as many
as 37 and won by 35 points.

Minnesota shot almost 20 percentage points higher than
Michigan, while having more rebounds and fewer turnovers. These are
the factors that make the difference between a win (or at least a
close loss) and a blowout defeat.

Cooper was Michigan's only double digit scorer with 13.
Queen was next with seven and she led in rebounds with six. Minnfield
led in assists with six while Skrba and Ashley Jones each blocked a
pair of shots.

As if things were not difficult enough for Cheryl's Crew,
health issues are also adding to the misery. The team lost their most
experienced player, junior Kelly Helvey, for the season some time ago.
Sophomore Katie Dierdorf was unable to play in the game at Minnesota
and it is unclear what is the matter and when she might return to
action. Another sophomore, Ta'Shia Walker, has been seeing less
playing time lately due to her health and she may have to miss some
games entirely. If both Katie and Ta'Shia are unable to play, that
leaves Michigan with only seven healthy players, two sophomores and
five rookies.

Best wishes to Katie and Ta'Shia for a quick and full
recovery from whatever is ailing them, and good luck to the team in
general. They need it now more than ever, with the Ohio State Buckeyes
(number 7 in both national polls) coming to Ann Arbor on Friday,
February 10.

Vince Prygoski
prygoski@umflint.edu

Vince Prygoski, is the Women's basketball columnist for UMGoBlue.com. He's been a fan of Michigan sports for as long as he can remember.
He has written a book on the history of Michigan women's basketball that will be published soon.

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