'M' freshmen strut their stuff

It was no surprise last night that with three freshman starters and two newcomers in the wings, a fresh face on the Michigan women's basketball team would be the first to score against the Swiss National Team.

The Swiss recorded the first tally of the game when Myrium Gex-Fabry made two free throws 30 seconds into the game. But that would be their only lead of the game. Half a minute later, Michigan freshman Ruth Kipping scored the first basket of her college career, and the first basket of the '98-'99 women's basketball season.

It started a Michigan-dominated game, with a major freshman impact.

Along with Kipping, freshmen Raina Goodlow and Heather Oesterle started in their first game with the Wolverines. Alayne Ingram and Alison Miller, a transfer from Bowling Green, also found their way into the game fairly quickly.

Even though Kipping, Goodlow and Oesterle started, it was Ingram who played the most.

Because of a team rule that limits a player to two fouls in the first half, it was freshman Alayne Ingram who saw the most playing time.

With a large cheering section, Ingram showed that she deserved her welcome into Crisler Arena.

Ingram came out strong in the first half, scoring eight points, which led the team at halftime.

Goodlow led the team into the second half. She scored five points in the first two minutes of the half, converting her second jumper into a three-point play. Goodlow finished the game with 10 points, second only to Stacey Thomas, who scored a game-high 15 points.

Pregame troubles: The Wolverines had as many problems off the court as the Swiss Team had on it.

Thomas broke her nose in practice earlier in the week but still suited up and started in yesterdays game, even without the infamous face mask.

"You wouldn't know that she had a broken nose, because the girl didn't want to wear the mask tonight," Guevara said. "She had that mask on in practice yesterday and she was seven for 10 today so we are going to keep her in that mask and then when it comes game time we will let her take it off again."

Thomas wasn't the only one who was shaken up before the game. Miller had gotten into a car accident just prior to the game, which could have been the cause of her shaky play. But she was still able to score seven points, going one for three from behind the line.

Sophomore Mandy Stowe also was not in top condition going into last nights game. Stowe entered the game with a bad back and scored only one field goal.

The only senior on the team, Ann Lemire, wasn't even suited up for the game. She had been suspended for three games for breaking a team rule.

Welcoming committee: Prior to the game the both national anthems were played as the crowd looked up at the Swiss flag which was hung on the ceiling next to the American flag.

After the anthems were played the two teams exchanged gifts. The Swiss team gave the Wolverines t-shirts and the Wolverines returned their gesture by handing the Swiss M-Den bags with some paraphernalia from the University.

11-04-98