The Empire struck back this weekend, and so did the Michigan women's basketball team.
Michigan beat Ohio State, 74-65, yesterday in its regular season finale, avenging a 78-55 loss to the Buckeyes on Dec. 28. Played in front of a record crowd of 3,803, the game was only Michigan's third win in 33 all-time meetings between the schools.
It was the second straight victory for the Wolverines. Friday, they set a new school record for points scored in a Big Ten game with a 107-75 victory over Minnesota.
Michigan was in control of Sunday's contest from start to finish. It opened the game with a 10-0 run, holding Ohio State scoreless over the first five minutes. The Wolverines maintained a 12- to 14-point cushion for most of the game's duration.
In the first half, Michigan (7-9 Big Ten, 15-10 overall) gave Ohio State (3-13, 11-15) fits with a full-court press, causing multiple turnovers. When the Buckeyes were able get the ball over midcourt, they often fired up quick shots, with no one in position for an offensive rebound.
Michigan was able to turn the Ohio State misses into fast-break opportunities.
"We wanted to make sure we kept them off the offensive glass, and I thought we did that in the first half," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "They were getting one shot at the basket, we were getting the rebound, going down to the other end and scoring in transition.
"It's no secret that transition is our game. Its our bread and butter."
Most of the Wolverines fast breaks were started by junior center Pollyanna Johns. She had as many rebounds at the half (10) as the entire Ohio State team. For the game, the Buckeyes had 29 boards, while Johns finished with 15 of the Wolverines 39 rebounds.
"The key is to keep moving your feet and go to the ball instead of letting it come to you," Johns said. "If you don't box me out, I'm going to go after it."
Ohio State point guard Marcie Alberts sparked a mini run for the Buckeyes five minutes into the second half by hitting a 3-pointer from WNBA range to cut the Michigan lead to nine.
The Buckeyes got to within six a few minutes later on a putback by Marrita Porter. But Michigan reeled off eight unanswered points - four by sophomore guard Ann Lemire - and the outcome was never in doubt again.
Alberts kept the score respectable for Ohio State by bombing away. She finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.
Michigan's balanced offensive attack was led by Johns and freshman guard Stacey Thomas, who each had 13 points. Thomas was given credit for four steals, but her quickness resulted in other Ohio State turnovers, especially in the first half.
Michigan's 15 wins are the most since the 1989-90 team finished 20-10 and went to the NCAA tournament.
"We are looking forward to the Big Ten tournament," Guevara said. "We want to play four games."
On Friday, Michigan faced last-place Minnesota (1-15, 3-23), and the Wolverines wasted no time in going for the jugular.
Michigan built a 20-5 lead in the first six minutes and never looked back. Johns accounted for 10 of those points, scoring at will in the post.
Minnesota players had their pockets picked three times by Thomas and twice by freshman forward Kenisha Walker in the opening run. Walker scored six points and was active all over the court in her first career start.
Michigan scorched the nets with 71.4-percent shooting in the first half, and took a 61-33 lead into the lockerroom.
The Wolverines were getting good looks from all over the floor, seemingly always making the all-important extra pass. Michigan finished with 24 assists as a team.
Senior Amy Johnson had five of those assists, including one of the no-look, showtime variety on a fast break. Senior point guard Jennifer Kiefer, who played a strong all-around game, contributed four assists.
"We worked on being more patient on offense," junior forward Molly Murray said. "We wanted to try at least four passes before a shot goes up.
"When people double Polly, I love it, because it leaves me wide-open."
Murray had 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Johns finished the game with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting while playing only 19 minutes.
Minnesota's Angie Iverson had 27 points and 15 rebounds in a losing cause.
All 14 Wolverines played at least five minutes, and thirteen of them scored.
"I had 14 women ready to play basketball," Guevara said. "This is the type of game, this is the type of effort, this is the type of performance that we need."
With the win, the Wolverines swept the season series from Minnesota. It is the first time Michigan has swept a season series in five years.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Molly Murray and the Michigan women's basketball team swept away the competition, defeating Minnesota and Ohio State in the final regular season games. The Wolverines set a school record for points against a Big Ten opponent - 107.