Michigan
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Mississippi
5-1,0-0SEC
Wolverines Finish Runner-up at Battle 4 Atlantis
11/20/2023 3:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NASSAU, Bahamas -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team fell into an early hole and could never recover, falling 60-49 to No. 23-ranked Ole Miss in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Monday afternoon (Nov. 20) in the Imperial Ballroom.
The Wolverines struggled offensively in the contest, shooting 24.2 percent from the floor. Laila Phelia, who was named to the all-tournament team, led the way with 21 points on the strength of an 11-for-12 showing from the free throw line. Jordan Hobbs and Elissa Brett each turned in six points, with Taylor Williams and Cameron Williams each going for five. Michigan had just 11 turnovers in the contest while forcing 16 on the other end.
Ole Miss came out of the gate strong, taking an 8-1 lead with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter. Phelia hit a three-pointer for Michigan's first field goal of the game with 4:09 on the clock. A Brett three-pointer at the 1:42 mark pulled Michigan within three, 14-11, before Ole Miss scored the final bucket for a 16-11 lead after 10 minutes.
The Ole Miss lead hovered around 10 points for the majority of the second quarter as the Rebels took a 27-19 lead into the locker room.
Michigan found Cameron Williams on the opening possession of the third quarter to bring Michigan within six, 27-21, but Ole Miss countered by converting a three-point play in transition to regain a nine-point lead moments later.
After Ole Miss pushed its lead to double figures, Michigan got within nine points, 37-28, off a Phelia three-pointer with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter. Ole Miss answered by scoring 11 of the next 13 points for a 48-30 lead after 30 minutes of action.
The Rebels led by as many as 20 points in the final quarter but the Wolverines scored 12 of the final 15 points - getting triples from Hobbs and Brett, along with buckets by Cameron Williams, Phelia and Alyssa Crockett to pull Michigan within 11 at the final horn.
Michigan is back in action on Friday (Nov. 24), hosting Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. inside Crisler Center.
