On senior day at Crisler Arena, it was fitting that both of the Michigan women”s basketball team”s seniors got a chance to shine in ways that fit their roles on the team.
- Paul Wong
- Seniors Katie Dykhouse and Anne Thorius give each other a tearful hug prior to last night”s game against Iowa.<br><br>ALYSSA WOOD/Daily
Katie Dykhouse a vocal leader for the Wolverines was given the opportunity to sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the game, and she did not disappoint. A nervous Dykhouse stood in front of her teammates and never cracked.
“I used to (sing the National Anthem) all the time during high school volleyball,” Dykhouse said. “I think everybody liked it and it got my team hyped up.”
While Dykhouse”s moment of glory was at the beginning of the game, Anne Thorius saved her clutch performance for the end.
Thorius hit a jumper in the lane to put Michigan up by four with 1:23 to play. Then, with one second left in the game and the Wolverines ahead by one point, Thorius was sent to the line to seal the victory.
Thorius the Big Ten”s free-throw percentage leader at 87 percent sunk the first shot, but missed the second in order to run out the clock on Iowa, which did not have any timeouts.
“It”s hard (to miss) when you are shooting 19-of-19,” said Thorius, who had actually made 21 consecutive free throws coming into the game. “It sucks to shoot a shot knowing you are going to miss.”
In addition to sealing the victory, Thorius again showcased her passing ability by dishing out seven assists enough to put her over 500 assists for her career.
“It is a great feeling (to reach the milestone), but when you are in the game, you don”t have a lot of time to celebrate it,” Thorius said. “Once I am done here I will look back and have a proud moment within myself.”
The game brings to a close the home careers of Thorius and Dykhouse, who were part of coach Sue Guevara”s first recruiting class. This senior class will leave as the most successful group in Michigan women”s basketball history. Currently, their career record is 75-39.