Michigan women open Big 10 tourney with 68-53 win vs. Illini

The #7 Michigan Wolverines shot 47.9% for the game to pull out a 68-53 win over the #10 Illinois Fighting Illini to open the 2012 Big Ten Women's Tournament at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Courtney Boylan scored 17 points, connecting 6-of-8 from the field to lead Michigan in scoring. Kate Thompson connected 5-of-8, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc, to score 13 points off the bench. Rachel Sheffer chipped in 12 points and Jenny Ryan pulled in a team-high six rebounds to go with eight points. Ryan and Sheffer both finished with three steals.

Behind a team effort with everyone scoring that touched the floor, Michigan shot 42.3% in the first half, 54.5% in the second half, and 53.8% from three-point range overall. Defensively, the Wolverines forced 20 turnovers, picking up 27 points from Illinois' miscues while scoring 28 points in the paint.

Up next, Michigan will face #2 Ohio State this Friday in the Big Ten quarterfinals at 11:30 a.m. inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse.