More on Purdue Game

More coverage at the Detroit Free Press, Old Gold Free Press, Boilerstation.com, the Detroit News and another article in the Michigan Daily:

Starting a play is the easy part.

All it takes is a dribble down the court.

Finishing it, though, has been difficult for the Michigan women's basketball team.

"We've been trying to emphasize to our kids: Finish the play," Michigan coach Kevin Borseth said. "We did a great job defensively, I felt, but we just didn't finish the play."

The Wolverines held Purdue to just .404 shooting from the field in last night's 56-51 loss. But Michigan's troubles unfolded after Purdue's players released the ball.

For the seventh straight game, the Wolverines were overwhelmed on the offensive boards. Purdue finished with a 13-9 advantage.

In the final three minutes, Michigan gave up three offensive boards. The most crucial was won by Purdue junior Lakisha Freeman. With 1:15 remaining, Freeman scored off the rebound to put the Boilermakers in the lead for good.

Michigan knew boxing out would be a key to success in West Lafayette because of the Boilermakers' size - Purdue boasts three starters taller than six feet. But as hard as the Wolverines fought, the Boilermakers simply wanted the ball more.