Michigan Journal

Issue date: 3/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Angela Chatman Jamie Buda scored 13 points and snatched three steals against the Panthers in the first round of the WHAC tournament.

The sun has officially set on another basketball season for the University of Michigan-Dearborn Lady Wolves, one that felt like a roller coaster ride much of the way.

The women finished the year with a 90-52 first round loss to Davenport University in the conference tournament on Feb. 21, their final record a disappointing 7-23. But both coach and players refuse to lose faith, as the team accumulated its highest win total in program history.

The team also returns its entire lineup next season with no graduating seniors. Add five solid recruits to the mix and the program looks to have an even better year in 2007-08.

The Wolves held conference scoring leader Jeanette Woodberry to 10 points in the game, which Pinkowski said was the key to beating the Panthers. Yet the other starters couldn't be stopped, as all four also scored in double figures.

"We didn't play well at all," Pinkowski said. "We didn't play very good defense. But our game plan didn't change - we still tried to stop the threes."

Junior guard Becky Morefield led the way for UM-D scoring 14 points and pulling down four rebounds to go along with three steals. Jamie Buda was the only other player in double figures, scoring 13 and also nabbing three steals. Sophomore Mary Zimnicki pulled down 10 rebounds to go with nine points.

The Lady Wolves struggled from the floor the entire game and shot just 30 percent overall. Davenport made 47 percent of their attempts.

UM-D also committed 25 turnovers, a problem for the team all season long. Passing was at a premium, as the Lady Wolves managed only six assists to Davenport's 25.

"We are not going to rely on two people," said Pinkowski about the load Morefield and Buda have carried this season. "That's a lot to ask, especially at the guard position. We're definitely going to have some help. We just kind of ran out of gas."

The Wolves finished last in the WHAC, garnering just one win in 14 games, but played stronger in their non-conference matchups, going 6-9. The team lost its first seven games before winning back-to-back contests. But they proceeded to drop their next six. In the middle of the year, the Lady Wolves won four of eight, but slumped again near the end, losing six of their last seven.

Continued...

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