The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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women's basketball ting better and better at it. They're starting to really look for each other and go inside and out." Siera Thompson Hitting Her Stride She may be the smallest player on the court, but freshman point guard Siera Thompson has found ways to make a big impact in her rookie season. She is generously listed at 5-7. Despite her small stature, she immediately stood out to the Michigan coaching staff when she arrived in Ann Arbor this past summer. She played in each of U-M's first 18 games and made 16 starts, and she barely ever comes off the court. Thompson averaged 35.4 minutes per game during U-M's 13-5 start, and she made the most of her time on the court with averages of 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. "It's exciting," Thompson said. "It gives me more and more confidence. My coaches and teammates have the confidence in me to put me in those big-time positions. I am very happy that I am here and I'm playing this role I have." After Michigan State jumped out to an early 26-17 lead over Michigan Jan. 12, Thompson helped the Wolverines claw their way back into the game, slashing into the lane often. She finished with a game-high 16 points. "The first half, I was more passive, just getting into the rhythm of the game," Thompson said. "In the sec- Though 18 games, Thompson was averaging 35.4 minutes, 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest. photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations ond half, I saw things open up from screens from my teammates, and I attacked them. They were switching and I was getting open in the lane. It was working out for me." Thompson has become one of the Wolverines' most reliable offensive weapons, scoring in the double figures in all but two of the team's first 18 games, including a career-high 24 points in a win over Texas Tech in the first round of the Barclays Invitational Nov. 29. "I have heard a lot about the freshmen in the Big Ten and how great they are around our league, but she isn't mentioned as much, which is disappointing," Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico said. "Not only does she do everything for us, but she also has the ball in her hands 90 percent of the time and plays 40 minutes a game. She's usually matched up