Defensive collapse hurts women

Hoops takes down No. 8 Louisiana Tech, falls to Washington

By David Roth

Daily Sports Writer

After upsetting No. 8 Louisiana Tech 69-66 on Friday, Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara told her team to enjoy the win until Saturday at 4 p.m. But when the Wolverines took the floor against Washington yesterday, it seemed like the deadline was extended an extra 24 hours.

Against Louisiana Tech, Michigan trailed until there were 39 seconds left in the game, when an Alayne Ingram layup tied it at 66. Yesterday against Washington, the Wolverines never led but did manage a tie at 48. But this time, their opponent responded - the Huskies went on a 25-12 run en route to a 73-60 win.

"We were so overwhelmed with our victory Friday night," said Michigan co-captain Anne Thorius. "We thought we were ready, but obviously our play showed we were not."

The problem was an ineffective Michigan defense.

"We had a total defensive breakdown," Guevara said. "We weren't moving our feet. We had people hustling after loose balls - unfortunately they were in purple uniforms."

Clearly, Washington wanted the win more. After losing in overtime to Indiana on Friday, the Huskies were out for revenge against the Big Ten.

"We outhustled people today," Washington coach June Daugherty said. "On the road you've got to do that or you're not going to come away with a smile."

Michigan missed layups, free throws and

3-pointers consistently in the second half. An offense that shot 55 percent in the first 20 minutes came back in the second half to hit only 27 percent and a mere eight field goals.

"It's one thing not to hit shots, but it's another to let opposing teams hit shots," guard Infini Robinson said.

None of Michigan's defensive adjustments proved to be effective. This was disappointing, since the Wolverines' ability to adjust was key to its win against the Lady Techsters.

"The little things that we did so well Friday night - boxing out, rebounding the ball and playing transition defense did not show up today," Thorius said.

In Friday's victory, the Wolverines struggled, but a balanced offensive attack made up for all their problems.

"Normally we hit the open jumpers and the open three's," Thorius said after the Louisiana Tech game. "We weren't hitting them today but we still got the rebounds."

Michigan was also helped out by an official's call. With 15 seconds left and the game knotted at 66, Michigan's Raina Goodlow was fouled. Louisiana Tech coach Leon Barmore argued the call and was assessed a technical foul.

"I really apologize to the team," Barmore said. "I hate that I got a technical. Maybe we fouled, who knows? But I take responsibility."

BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily

Washington stole a victory - and a possible Top 25 ranking - from Heather Oesterle and her teammates. BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily