Though hustle and defense still rank atop Veronica Hicks’ list of priorities, she has recently found her scoring touch.

Hicks, a junior guard on the Michigan women's basketball team, has created steals and fast-break opportunities all season. But in three of the Wolverines’ past four games, she has scored in double figures and led the team in scoring twice.

In last night's 52-44 win over Illinois, she scored a team-high 12 points, 10 of which came in the second half.

“I want to play both ways, and this is a big year for me,” Hicks said. “I want to become more of a scoring threat and develop more scoring tools in my arsenal.”

It’s clear from her aggressive play that Hicks has been looking to score. She put up seven shots in the first half, but only one fell.

“In the first half, I didn’t take my time and I was being pressured,” she said. “I was kind of forcing the issue.”

In the second, she took just three shots — and they all went in.

Looking to score and working hard on her offense in practice has made Hicks a more complete player, something she thinks is very important for her development.

“It’s basketball. It’s a game I love,” she said. “I don’t want to be known as just a role player.

Rebounding from a loss: In its 76-58 loss to Penn State last Sunday, Michigan seemed scared of loose rebounds.

In other words, the Wolverines avoided the ball, especially on defense. Michigan allowed the Nittany Lions to grab 20 offensive boards, a season high for Wolverine opponents.

The lack of aggressiveness away from Ann Arbor is nothing new and was a major factor in Michigan’s five road losses.

Against Penn State, Michigan was outrebounded by 18.

But back in Crisler Arena last night, the Wolverines had no problem on the boards, grabbing 33 rebounds, one more than the Illini.

“We paid special attention to crashing the boards and going to find rebounds,” Junior center Krista Phillips said. “We wanted to take care of the ball.”

Lack of production: After her 20-point performance in the 63-59 overtime thriller against Notre Dame on Dec. 10, it looked like senior center Stephany Skrba had emerged as an offensive force.

Skrba was unstoppable for the majority of the win over the Fighting Irish, especially in overtime, when she scored all of Michigan’s points.

The performance earned her Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

She followed that performance up with an impressive showing against Cincinnati, tallying 15.

But since that game, Skrba has been held in check and has never scored more than six points.

Michigan coach Kevin Borseth thinks it is simply a case of teams focusing on her more than they have in the past.

“I just think (opposing teams) get to know where your moves are and they take those things away from you,” Borseth said. “There’s just so much tape available. You really have to create shots on your own.”

But Borseth thinks Skrba can do that.

“She’s really a good shooter,” he said. “She can shoot over kids.”