NEW YORK (AP) - Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico got almost everything she wanted out of a quick trip to New York.
The Wolverines jumped out to a quick lead and beat LIU Brooklyn 86-49 on Saturday.
Hallie Thome scored 19 points while Katelynn Flaherty and Nicole Munger each added 16 to help No. 22 Michigan win.
“We have a really tough stretch coming up with a lot of games in a short period of time,” Barnes Arico said. “It’s five games in the next 11 days. It was a great chance to get everyone some experience. Get some of our younger kids in and really try to rest our starters.”
Michigan (5-2) scored the first seven points of the game and led 10-5 before getting the final 14 points of the opening quarter to put the game away early. Flaherty had 11 points in the opening quarter.
The Blackbirds (3-4) finally ended a nearly 12:30 scoring drought with a layup by Deangelique Waithe with 4:45 left in the second quarter. That basket ended a 23-0 run by the Wolverines spanning the quarters. LIU was down 35-7 at that point.
The Wolverines led 45-11 at the half. LIU competed hard in the final 20 minutes, only losing the second half by three points.
“I’m so proud of the second half, it shows what we can do,” LIU Brooklyn coach Stephanie Del Preore said.
Drew Winter scored 13 points to lead the Blackbirds.
TIP-INS
Michigan: This was Michigan’s first trip to New York since the 2013-14 season. … Michigan’s two losses this season came against No. 5 Louisville and No. 3 Notre Dame.
LIU: LIU was playing its first home game since Nov. 14.
FACING TOP TEAMS
The Blackbirds played a Top 25 team for the third consecutive year. LIU Brooklyn hosted then No. 14 Florida State in 2015 and played at seventh-ranked Ohio State last year.
“I love playing ranked teams, it shows what we’re made of,” Del Preore said. “Shows how tough we can be. I like seeing how our team finds confidence in playing these types of teams.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Barnes Arico’s nine-year-old daughter Cecelia took part in a shooting contest. She made a layup, free throw and 3-pointer - each on her first shot all in under 10 seconds to win a prize pack.
“I didn’t get to see it, but heard everyone cheering,” Barnes Arico said. “I hope someone got it on tape.”
HOMECOMING OF SORTS
When the game was originally schedule, Michigan had two players from the New York area on its roster. Both are no longer on the team. Flaherty is from New Jersey as well as Barnes Arico. The pair had about 60 friends and family at the game. It was a quick trip for Michigan as the team flew in Friday and had a flight back home Saturday night which was why the game tipped at noon.
UP NEXT:
Michigan: At Detroit Mercy on Monday.
LIU: At George Mason on Thursday.
___
Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg
Please read our comment policy before commenting.