DEARBORN, Mich. -- In a highly competitive basketball showdown, Spring Arbor (MI) (10-2) clashed with the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines (1-11). The Cougars handled the contest from start to finish, defeating UM-Dearborn 90-53 on Wednesday (Dec. 20).
From the tip-off, Spring Arbor demonstrated their offensive prowess, making 37.9% of their field goals compared to Michigan-Dearborn's 32.2%. The game saw moments of tension, especially in the paint, where Spring Arbor led the way with 58 points, leaving UM-Dearborn trailing at 30.
The dynamics of the match were influenced significantly by turnovers, an area where the Wolverines underperformed. The Cougars converted turnovers into 28 valuable points, underscoring their ability to capitalize on opportunities. On the other side, UM-Dearborn struggled to translate turnovers into points, managing only seven.
Bench players played a crucial role in Spring Arbor's success, contributing 25 points to the team's total, a notable edge over UM-Dearborn's 22 bench points. The game featured a couple of ties (2) and a lone lead change, showcasing the overall control maintained by Spring Arbor.
Emily Grulke led the way with a career-high 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Maya Barakat finished with a double-double despite being in foul trouble and playing only 24 minutes.
The Wolverines will have an extended break before playing Indiana Tech on January 3rd.
