No 24 Michigan Women’s Basketball Erases Early Deficit, Blitzes Past Detroit Mercy

DETROIT, Mich. — The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan women’s basketball team trailed by 10 points in the opening minutes of the game, but allowed just 11 points over the final 16 minutes of the first half en route to an 86-50 win over Detroit Mercy on Monday night (Dec. 4) at Calihan Hall.

Senior Katelynn Flaherty led the way offensively for the Maize and Blue, scoring 26 points on 12-for-19 shooting from the floor. She was joined in double figures by junior Nicole Munger (13), freshman Deja Church (12) and junior Hallie Thome (11). Michigan shot 56.7 percent (38-for-67) from the floor in the contest and outrebounded Detroit Mercy, 47-25. Senior Jillian Dunston led the way on the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds, with Thome recording seven.

Michigan jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to Thome, but UDM hit five three-pointers in the opening three minutes of the game to take a 17-7 lead with 6:15 remaining in the frame. Michigan slowly climbed back into it, allowing just three points the rest of the quarter to head to the second quarter tied at 20.

Michigan opened the second period with baskets from Dunston and sophomore Kayla Robbins to force a UDM timeout just 37 second into the frame with U-M holding a 24-20 lead.

Munger hit back-to-back triples — one from each corner — to force another Detroit Mercy timeout as U-M pushed its lead to double digits for the first time, 36-26, with 4:30 left. Michigan kept its run going after the stoppage as sophomore Akienreh Johnson came through with a putback layup, Thome scored again and Flaherty scored in transition to push the lead to 42-26.

On Michigan’s penultimate possession of the first half, Dunston corralled the offensive board and found Flaherty for her second triple of the game to put the visitors on top, 47-28. Flaherty appeared to score again before the half, but the basket was waved off after a five-minute review. U-M shot 60 percent (21-for-35) from the floor in the first half, paced by Flaherty’s 22 points.

The Maize and Blue started the third where it left off before the half, opening with a 10-0 run on two baskets from Thome and scores from Flaherty, Robbins and Munger.

Michigan led by as many as 40 points in the win, as 10 Wolverines found the scoring column. The Wolverines relied heavily on their bench, getting 29 points from their reserves in the win.

U-M kicks off a six-game homestand on Thursday (Dec. 7), hosting Marquette at 7 p.m. It is part of U-M’s season-long Workweek Hustle promotion, where $5 will get fans a ticket, hot dog and drink.

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