Lourdes tops UM-Dearborn in WHAC matchup

DEARBORN, Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn women's basketball team returned the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse after six consecutive games on the road to host Lourdes University in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup Saturday.

The game was back-and-forth throughout the first half, but the Gray Wolves were able to pull ahead in the third and held on for a 67-59 win. The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in the WHAC.

The Gray Wolves led 60-51 late in the third quarter, but junior Natalie Spala (JR/Livonia, MI) hit a 3-point buzzer beater to cut the deficit to six heading to the final frame. UM-Dearborn was not able to hold on to the momentum and Lourdes hit key shots down the stretch to secure the win.

Senior Megan Swick (SR/Grosse Ile, Mich.) led the Wolverines with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while hitting four 3-pointers. Sophomore Jeorgia Jones (SO/Detroit, MI) was limited to 15 minutes due to foul trouble, but was able to score nine points and grab six rebounds.

Kendall Rose (JR/Canton, MI) added eight points and a team-best seven rebounds, while Emily Heinrich (JR/South Lyon, MI) came off the bench to score six points and grab five rebounds. Senior Meredith Williams (SR/Novi, Mich.) recorded three steals.

The Wolverines shot 21-of-56 from the field, 7-of-22 from deep and 10-of-12 from the line, while winning the rebounding battle 39-33.

Sydney Miller led the Gray Wolves with 19 points, including four 3-pointers, while Christiana Jefferson added 16 points.

The Wolverines travel to Indiana Tech at 6 pm Tuesday in Fort Wayne, Ind.