Detroit's Big Second Half Leads Titans Past Butler, 84-59
Jan. 31, 2002
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Detroit used a 29-6 early second half run to race past the Butler women's basketball team, 84-59, on Thursday (Jan. 31) in a Horizon League showdown at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler (1-20, 0-10 Horizon League) held a 17-11 early edge on the Titans (10-9, 5-3 Horizon League), but a pair of baskets by Sara Crum began a Detroit 14-3 run that would send the Titans into halftime with a 35-26 advantage.
Detroit continued to dominate early in the second half, making their first six shots and climbing to a 53-34 lead with 14:45 left to play. The Titans would go on another 11-0 run before Sarah Bolten and Nancy Bowden would convert back-to-back three-point plays, bringing the Bulldogs to within 64-40.
Butler would continue to narrow the gap, as consecutive three-pointers by Allie Schmidt would cut Detroit's advantage to 71-56 with under five minutes remaining in the contest. But, the Titans would capitalize on numerous Butler turnovers in the game's final minutes to seal the victory.
Butler shot 32.8 percent (20-61) from the field, and 84.6 percent (11-13) from the free throw line on the game. Detroit finished shooting 48.5 percent (33-68) from the field, including an impressive 61.8 percent clip in the second period. The Bulldogs narrowly outrebounded the Titans, 41-40, but were plagued by 28 turnovers on the game.
Nancy Bowden barely missed the first double-double of her career, finishing with 19 points and a career-high nine rebounds. She was the lone Butler player to score in double figures, as teammates Tiffany Smith and SarahBolten added nine and eight points, respectively. Molly Peterman paced Detroit with 19 points, while Michelle James, who became UDM's new career three-point leader with three treys on the contest, chipped in 18 points. Michele Bortz also reached double-figures in scoring, finishing with 14 points.
Butler will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 2) when the Bulldogs host Cleveland State at 2 p.m. in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 | Printer Friendly |
