By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Eastern Michigan-bound Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart Memorial) scored 34 points and dished out five assists as Indiana East clobbered the defending champions Michigan 93-77 in the girls' opening semifinal game at Sports Fest.
Team Michigan was only able to suit up six girls and they were without the services of four players, Monica Gathright, Brandie Radde, Jacquel Rodgers and Heather Seyfred.
"We led in one category and that was in turnovers (28) and that was because of their speed and we did not realize how quick they were and No. 33 (Pittman), No. 24 (Brittany Bateman) created problems and the other thing is that it looks like they have been playing basketball a little longer than we have and it kind of looked like it, but other than that it was great," Michigan coach Lou Harvey said. "It was good just being a part of this and being with girls and it was an honor being selected for this and as far as winning or losing, it did not matter- both teams won".
The first half saw both teams matching baskets and Michigan took a slim 28-25 lead with six minutes to go in the half. Indiana East would then take the lead only to have Michigan tie the game 34-34 after a Sarah Dreher (Niles) basket.
A Pittman 3-pointer followed by free throws from Bateman (Lakeland) gave the East a 42-39 halftime lead.
The East took control in the second half as the All-Stars took its largest lead of the game, 59-48, after back-to-back 3-pointers from Pittman. Michigan had no answer for Pittman and their foul troubles began to mount as four girls had four or more fouls.
Michigan's Kelsey Gordon (Cassopolis) made it an 88-77 East lead but could not make it any closer in the final two minutes.
Pittman took game-high honors with 34 points and Lindsay Gangloff (Fairfield) added 23 for the East.
"Pittman is a little bit better than a lot of folks. We did not have any motorbikes out here today. She can turn corners, make shots and make threes. She is going to college and be a pretty good player," Harvey added.
Tashayla Jackson (Benton Harbor) led Michigan with 24 points, Shante Clark (Benton Harbor) netted 17 points and Niles' Dreher finished with 19 points.
"We just wanted to come in and enjoy this and this is a reward for the girls. The second half we took the ball to them and that created some foul trouble for them," said East coach Randy Yoder (Westview). "Nothing against the Michigan girls, but this is their off season and they are not in the best of shape and that was a factor,"
Cassopolis guard and Olivet College bound Kelsey Gordon came off the bench to score eight points.
"It was a great honor and so much fun and wished it could have came out a little different," said Kelsey Gordon after the game.
INDIANA EAST 93
Lindsay Gangloff 10 0-0 23, Alyssa Pittman 11 6-8 34, Tiffany Fick 3 0-0 6, Brittany Bateman 1 0-3 6, Julie Seiss 5 0-1 10, Jennifer Scherer 1 5-5 7, Ryleigh Carr 0 1-2 1, Lela Rohrer 2 2-2 6 Totals: 33 21-32 93
MICHIGAN 77
Sarah Dreher 7 5-7 19, Shante Clark 7 2-2 17, Tashayla Jackson 10 0-0 24, Morgan Bennett 4 1-4 9, Erika Scheffler 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Gordon 3 1-2 8 Totals: 31 9-15 77
Halftime score: Indiana East 42, Michigan 39
Three-point baskets: Indiana East 6 (Pittman 6), Michigan 6 (Jackson 4, Clark 1, Gordon 1). Total fouls: Indiana East 14, Michigan 23