Michigan
9-4
Nebraska
6-6
Michigan Sees Lead Evaporate in Fourth Quarter at Nebraska
12/28/2018 9:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
» Nebraska started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to take control of the game and scored 33 points in the final period. U-M got within four points with 2:52 remaining but could get no closer.
» Hallie Thome led the way with 14 points and nine rebounds, with Hailey Brown turning in 12 points and four boards.
» Michigan committed 23 turnovers in the contest, which led to 23 points for the Huskers.
Site: Lincoln, Neb. (Pinnacle Bank Arena)
Score: Nebraska 70, Michigan 56
Records: U-M (9-4, 0-1 B1G), Nebraska (6-6, 1-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Dec. 31 -- vs. Minnesota (Crisler Center), 2 p.m.
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team held a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but Nebraska opened the period on a 7-0 run to take control en route to a 70-56 win over the Wolverines Friday (Dec. 28) at Pinnacle Bank Arena. It was the Big Ten Conference opener for both schools.
Senior Hallie Thome led the way for the Maize and Blue, turning in 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Hailey Brown joined her in double figures with 12 points, with classmate Deja Church chipping in nine. Michigan held a 39-38 edge on the glass but committed 23 turnovers that led to 23 Nebraska points.
Nebraska scored the first five points of the contest before Michigan answered with a 7-0 run behind buckets from Thome and senior Nicole Munger and three points from Church. U-M scored the final four points of the first quarter on layups from Thome and freshman Naz Hillmon for a 13-10 lead after 10 minutes.
U-M started the second quarter on a tear, going on an 8-1 run for a 21-11 lead just two minutes into the frame. Brown kicked off the run, hitting a three at the top of the key, while Church and Munger each cashed in on buckets to give Michigan its largest lead of the game.
The Wolverines kept the lead the rest of the quarter and hit the break with a four-point advantage, 31-27, after junior Kayla Robbins hit a pair of free throws with three seconds remaining.
Nebraska clawed back within two, 36-34, with 5:08 left in the third quarter, but Michigan held the Huskers to just three points the rest of the period for a 43-37 lead after three quarters. U-M quickly grabbed an eight-point lead, 42-34, off three straight layups from freshman Amy Dilk, Thome and Hillmon before Nebraska answered with a three-pointer at the 1:48 mark. Junior Akienreh Johnson made good on a free throw with 2.7 seconds on the clock to send Michigan to the fourth with the six-point lead.
The Huskers scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter, taking their first lead since the first minutes of the game at 44-43 to force a Michigan timeout with 7:32 remaining. Brown scored on Michigan's possession out of the timeout to stop the Husker run.
Nebraska made good on five straight free throws to regain a 49-45 advantage with 5:44 left. Church converted a three-point play on the ensuing possession to bring Michigan back within a point with 5:26 left before Nebraska scored four consecutive points for another U-M timeout with 4:35 remaining.
Michigan got within four points with 2:52 left off a layup from Brown but could get no closer the rest of the way. The Huskers made two three-pointers in the closing minute, ending a 33-point fourth quarter with the 14-point win.
U-M will be back in action on Monday (Dec. 31), hosting No. 12-ranked Minnesota at 2 p.m. in Crisler Center. It will be Dollar Day, with tickets to the game costing just $1, and fans also receive a 20 percent discount at the M Den at Crisler.
