'M' women's hoops back after losing slump

EVANSTON - Riding an upswing in its roller-coaster season, the Michigan women's basketball team tore through the Midwest this past weekend, rolling by Iowa and Northwestern to help build its second win streak.

And for Michigan, everything has come in streaks this season.

In sliding past Michigan State a week ago, the Wolverines put a close to the worst losing streak in coach Sue Guevara's tenure as they bid farewell to a five-game drought.

That skid seems to have been all but forgotten as the streaky Wolverines dismantled a trio of conference foes to move from the Big Ten cellar, to the conference's middle ground.

"You saw in that losing streak our heart and our pride challenged," said Guevara. "And I think now we are answering that challenge."

DHANI JONES/Daily Alayne Ingram (40) is one of the Michigan women's basketball team's most promising young players.

In answering that challenge, Guevara's squad has slowly been able to return to the form that dazzled onlookers as the team was able to open the season by catapulting to a school-best nine straight wins.

As impressive as its start may have been, a five-game losing streak to start the new year seemed to silence those touting the team as one of the confrence's fiercer.

Not counting their first loss at Vanderbilt, all of Michigan's wins and all of its losses have come strung together. And Guevara says she expects that to continue as the Wolverines look to continue their current streak.

"Trust me, we're not done yet," Guevara said. "The momentum is starting and I think we're getting better and better."

Block Party: Known throughout the Big Ten as a feared scorer, the defensive play of Stacey Thomas has essentially gone virtually unnoticed amidst the glare of her solid offensive showings.

With her play yesterday, Thomas left no doubt about her defensive prowess. And in tallying six steals to go along with four blocks, Thomas certainly caught the attention of her Northwestern opponents.

"Stacey Thomas is incredible," Northwestern forward Clarissa Flores said. "I've never seen such an athletic player. She was blocking shots, stealing, she was just an unbelievable player."

Yet even as her defensive play fueled her team to its third straight win, Thomas says her defensive ability often ignites her play on the other end.

"I love defense - that gets me going," Thomas said. "I think my defense helps my offense."

Yet yesterday, her play needed little help. Leading all scorers with 15 points, Thomas also pulled down 10 rebounds while dishing out six assists.

"Thomas put on one of her better shows defensively. We know that Stacey can steal the ball and she had some key blocks," Guevara said. "I think the thing that stands out for Thomas is the six assists. For our team that's the most assists we've had all year."

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