Women sunk by Commodores

NASHVILLE - Heartbreak Hotel.

For the Michigan women's basketball team, Vanderbilt's Memorial Gym was just that.

The Wolverines went into Friday's game against the No. 20 Commodores looking to pull off an upset. They fell short, just like many of their shots. In fact, Michigan mustered just 45 points in the game, losing 57-45.

With every missed shot, the collective heart of the Wolverines was slowing breaking.

Defensively, however, Michigan (0-1) was surprisingly effective. The Wolverines succeeded in holding one of the most productive offenses in the country to 57 points.

The defense created many opportunities for the Wolverines, but no matter what they tried, they just couldn't convert.

"I didn't think that defensively we played too badly," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "To hold Vanderbilt to 57 points in their own gym on opening day isn't too bad.

"We missed a lot of easy shots and if we'd been able to make a couple of those, we'd have a different ballgame."

The shooting woes began early for the Wolverines. They shot 18-percent in the first half, making just five field goals. Vanderbilt (1-0) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and led 27-15 at the half.

"I think they will grow as the season progresses," Vanderbilt coach Jim Foster said of Michigan. "I think defensively they're there already. I like a lot of what they showed out there on the floor against us, in particular

11-16-98