Wolverines Lose to Fighting Saints on Opening Night
The Wolverines struggled in the second half, shooting just 17.1% from the floor.
DEARBORN, Mich. -- In a tough matchup, the University of Michigan-Dearborn women's basketball team faced a significant defeat against St. Francis (Ill.), ending the game with a final score of 86-49. The game was a tale of two halves, as the Wolverines trailed by two going into the half.
Marissa Thomas led the Wolverines with 13 points in her debut, and Jordan Banks added 10 points and eight boards to pace the Maize & Blue. The Wolverines benefitted from an early run, jumping out to a 7-2 lead after back-to-back baskets from Lillian Golson and Marissa Thomas. The Fighting Saints erased that lead by going on a 7-2 run before the under-five media timeout. Coming out of the timeout, USF made it 14-9 before the Wolverines answered with a pair of Nyla Hood free throws at the 3:20 mark. After USF made it 18-11 with 2:29 to play in the first quarter, the Wolverines cut the lead to 18-16 at the midway point of the half after ending on a 5-0 run.
Thomas scored on consecutive possessions to tie the game at 20 with 8:46 left in the half. Jordan Banks connected on her lone triple of the game to make it 29-27. Haylie Wilson cut it to three after making an easy layup after a tough drive to the hole. After a Bailey Stimac jumper, Tamia Tounsel gave the Wolverines the lead as she buried a straight-on triple to make it 34-32. Costly turnovers gave USF the lead heading into the break, and the Wolverines could not regain the momentum.
UM-Dearborn made just six field goals in the final 20 minutes and was outscored 50-15 in the final two quarters, losing their opening night contest 86-49.
