Michgan wins ACC/Big Ten Challenge Game; defeats NC State, 63-52

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior forward Carly Benson (Carney, Mich. /Carney-Nadeau Public School) scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Wolverines in scoring for the second straight game as the University of Michigan women's basketball team defeated North Carolina State, 63-52, on Friday night (Dec. 5) at Crisler Arena in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Wolverines, who posted a season-low nine turnovers, had three players in double figures for the first time since Nov. 28 against Belmont. In addition to Benson, senior Jessica Minnfield (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) and senior Stephany Skrba (Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively. U-M held a 33-19 halftime lead, its largest lead at the break of the season, but NC State's Nikitta Gartrel put her team on her back in the second half, and with seven consecutive buckets, cut Michigan's lead all the way to 11 points at the 8:27 mark of the second half. Michigan responded and baskets from Benson and junior center Krista Phillips (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/Aden Bowman Collegiate) kept the lead with Michigan. Over the last four minutes, however, the Wolfpack were able to get it down to seven points, 56-49, behind a 10-0 run sparked by a three-pointer from Brittany Strachan, but a late bucket from Benson coupled with free throws from Minnfield, Skrba and freshman guard Courtney Boylan (Minnetonka, Minn./Chaska) gave U-M its second consecutive Big Ten/ACC Challenge victory. Benson, who was 4-of-8 from long range in the game, led the Michigan offense early and was helped out on the defensive end by sophomore Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill. /Thornwood) and Phillips. Hicks held NC State's leading scorer Shayla Fields to only eight points, nearly half of her season average, while Phillips was crucial on the glass with a game-high 10 rebounds. To read the complete game story please click here.