LIMA, Ohio - The University of Michigan-Dearborn women's basketball team looked to be in position for its first win in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference this season, leading the University of Northwestern Ohio by eight in the third quarter.
UNOH rallied in the second half and a last-second 3-point try for UM-Dearborn failed to find the net, as the Wolverines fell 67-64. The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 3-9 overall and 0-4 in the WHAC.
The Wolverines dominated the majority of the first half, leading by 14 with 4:22 to play and holding a double-digit advantage nearly the entire second quarter. UM-Dearborn had one of its best halves shooting the basketball this season, making 52 percent of its field goals before the break.
A 9-0 run for UNOH gave the Racers a one-point lead late in the third, but the Wolverines continued to fight as the teams went back-and-forth down the stretch. Down three with under three seconds to go, Megan Swick (JR/Grosse Ile, Mich.) got a solid look at the basket for the tie, but the ball hit off the front of the rim, allowing UNOH to esacpe with the win.
Swick was the leader for UM-Dearborn on the offensive end, scoring a season-high 21 points, including four 3-pointers. She added four assists and two steals. Jeorgia Jones (FR/Detroit MI) added 10 points off the bench, while Meredith Willimas scored six points to go along with a team-high eight steals and eight assists.
Natalie Spala (SO/Livonia, MI) scored eight points, Kendall Rose (SO/Canton, MI) chipped in with seven, while Emily Heinrich (SO/South Lyon, MI) and Bri Alspaugh (JR/St.Louis MI) each added six.
The Wolverines shot well above thier season average, finishing 25-of-58 from the field, 8-of-24 from deep and 6-of-11 from the line. UM-Dearborn totaled 21 assists and 16 turnovers, while losing the rebounding battle 30-19.
The Racers got a team-high 18 points from Sogona Sidibe, while Linda Ulasi and Audrianna Walker scored 12 and 10, respectively. UNOH shot 24-of-44 from the field, 2-of-8 from deep and 17-of-25 from the free-throw line.
The Wolverines return home to take on Siena Heights University at 1 p.m. Saturday at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
