'M' women's basketball lacks storybook ending

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Michigan won the tip, and Stacey Thomas drove around the feared UCLA defense for an easy lay-up. But in a quirky start to her team's first NCAA Tournament game, the clock did not start and play was soon stopped.

Unfortunately, once time started rolling for the Michigan women's basketball team, so did the Bruins. Using swarming defense to control the game's tempo, UCLA handed Michigan a 65-58 loss on March 14 in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regional, ending one of the most successful seasons in the program's history.

Michigan (19-10) led only once, in the game's first minute, and was thoroughly frustrated by the Bruins' defense, which forced the Wolverines into a season-high 30 turnovers.

"Their defense was relentless, and they forced us totally out of our offense," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "Anytime you turn the ball over 30 times, there's no way you'll ever win the game."

FILE PHOTO Although Molly Murray will not continue to lead the Michigan basketball team this season, she will be remembered as a player who helped turn the program around.

But when Michigan did get open looks at the basket, which was rare, they seemed to have forgotten how to capitalize on them.

The loss called an abrupt halt to Michigan's storybook season - one that featured numerous highlights and program firsts.

Michigan's 19 wins was their second highest total ever. Their third-place finish in the Big Ten standings was their highest ever, and their ensuing win in the conference tournament was their first.

And as they bid farewell to their dream season, the Wolverines also said good-bye to some of the major reasons for the stunning campaign. Seniors Pollyanna Johns, Molly Murray, Akisha Franklin and Tiffany Willard all hung up their Michigan uniforms for the final time after the loss to the Bruins, and will be sorely missed in this year's lineup.

The 6-foot-3 Johns, Michigan's all-time leader in field goal percentage, is merely trading her maize and blue in for new colors. A third round draft pick of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting, Johns began her professional basketball career in early June. Johns was Michigan's leading scorer and rebounder last season, averaging 17.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

The Wolverines lose another record holder to graduation in Murray, the school's all-time three-point leader. Murray averaged 10.7 points last year, and also shot 42 percent from three-point range.

And Franklin and Willard were valuable reserves for Guevara all season, providing experience and point production off the bench.

But the cupboard is by no means bare for the Wolverines next season. Although Johns was named to the first-team All Big Ten team and Murray was honorable mention, the Wolverines have their share of award winners returning.

Guard Stacey Thomas, who led the Big Ten in steals last season and averaged 11.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg, was named to the second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore.

Joining Thomas and fellow backcourt mate Ann Lemire is point guard Anne Thorius. The Denmark native averaged 4.6 assists per game last season, and her steady anchoring of the Michigan offense earned her All-freshman team honors in the conference.

Guevara received perhaps the best recognition of all in leading the Wolverines on their remarkable season, being named Big Ten coach of the year by her peers.

09-08-98