After scoring a total of 44 points in a 22-point loss to Purdue on Friday, the Michigan women's basketball team scored 44 points against Illinois yesterday - in the first half.
The effect of the scoring outburst was a 93-87 victory over an Illinois team that had won its past five games, including a 100-81 decision over No. 10 Arkansas.
The cause was Michigan's dominant rebounding edge.
In the first half, Michigan used second-chance baskets to establish an early 10-point lead. Michigan limited Illinois to 13 first-half rebounds while grabbing 32.
The Wolverines only led by two at halftime, mostly because Illinois shot 50 percent from the field in the half. For the game, Michigan outrebounded Illinois, 56-31, including a 20-9 edge on the offensive boards.
When Illinois coach Theresa Grentz was asked what made the difference in the game, she simply responded, "rebounding."
In Friday's loss to the Boilermakers, Michigan was outrebounded for only the second time this season, by a 40-34 margin. And because Michigan only shot 1 of 13 from behind the arc and 33.3 percent from the field in the game, second chance baskets became much more important.
"We had major problems rebounding (against Purdue)," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "We gave up too many offensive rebounds.
"Illinois has gotten a lot of offensive rebounds against other teams."
With two towering centers - 6-foot-5 Stacey Leonhardt, and 6-3 Alicia Sheeler - that is not a big surprise. But against the Wolverines, the Illini did not take advantage of their size in the middle. While Sheeler managed to grab 14 rebounds, Michigan's trio of Pollyanna Johns, Catherine DiGiacinto and Ann Lemire were able to neutralize Leonhardt and grab 31 boards.
"This Michigan team today boxed out," Guevara said. "Illinois was getting only one shot at the basket for a while, and we were getting four.
"It was called the relentless pursuit of getting the ball."
Against Illinois, the relentless pursuit paid dividends for the Wolverines, as it has all season. It is obvious that the Wolverines take crashing the boards seriously.
Entering yesterday's game, Johns ranked second in the Big Ten in rebounds per game, averaging 10.23, while Stacey Thomas was No. 12 with 6.54.
Michigan as a team ranked first in the conference in rebounding, averaging a little over 44 rebounds per game. Michigan also ranks first in rebounding margin, averaging seven more rebounds than its opponents.
"A goal was to box out," DiGiacinto said. "I feel that even if I don't get the rebound, as long as the (person I boxed out) didn't get the rebound either, I feel like I accomplished something.
"The (Illinois) players were big in there today."
But what the Wolverines lacked in size, they made up in quickness. Michigan's guards accounted for 20 rebounds, including eight from Lemire, who also led the team in scoring. After Michigan's rebounding difficulties against Purdue, the Wolverines all looked to re-establish their rebounding prowess.
"We talked a lot about the rebounding and crashing the boards," Lemire said. "That made a big difference."
For Michigan, rebounding helped erase memories of its worst loss of the season and gave the Wolverines a big conference victory at home.
JEANNIE SERVAAS/Daily
Sophomore guard Ann Lemire and the Michigan women's basketball team improved their record to 11-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten with a win over first-place Illinois at Crisler Arena yesterday. Lemire led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting. She also grabbed eight rebounds and had five assists.