Michigan
17-12,8-9Big Ten
Ohio State
25-3,16-1Big Ten
Wolverines Fall at No. 2 Ohio State
2/28/2024 9:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team (17-12, 8-9 B1G) was tied with No. 2 Ohio State at the half but the Buckeyes used a 27-16 advantage in the third quarter to gain separation in a 67-51 win on Wednesday evening (Feb. 28) at Value City Arena.
Michigan had two players in double figures in Ohio natives Laila Phelia (13) and Jordan Hobbs (11). Michigan held a 35-25 advantage on the glass but the Buckeyes scored 30 points off Michigan's 29 turnovers. Michigan held Ohio State to its second-lowest scoring output of the season, second only to the Buckeyes' total against U-M in the first meeting between the teams (Dec. 30).
Ohio State took control early, scoring the first four points of the game. Michigan climbed within 9-7 on an Elissa Brett putback but went scoreless for more than three minutes as Ohio State regained a 13-7 lead with just under three minutes remaining. A Cameron Williams putback stopped the Michigan drought at the 2:19 mark, with neither team scoring again for a 13-9 Ohio State lead after 10 minutes of action.
OSU scored the first five points of the second quarter to double up Michigan, 18-9, but a Lauren Hansen triple with 6:40 on the second-quarter clock pushed Michigan into double digits. Michigan continued to hang around, down just six at 20-14, after Hobbs made good on a nifty bank shot in transition with 5:07 left before the half.
A Williams layup and a pair of Phelia free throws pulled Michigan within two, 20-18, with 3:50 remaining as the Wolverines were in the midst of what turned into a 10-0 run. Williams again scored down low to tie the game at 20, with a long two from Hansen with 50 seconds remaining giving Michigan its first lead of the game at 22-20.
Ohio State scored on its final possession of the half, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 22. Michigan weathered 14 first-half turnovers by doubling up OSU on the glass, 22-11, leading to nine second-chance points.Â
The Buckeyes opened the third quarter on a 19-5 run, taking a 41-27 lead. Brett made a pair of free throws and converted on a layup to pull Michigan within 12, 43-31, with just under three minutes remaining. Michigan got a steal in the open court but missed the layup, unable to keep the run going.
U-M called timeout with 1:39 left in the third quarter following a Phelia bucket that trimmed the OSU lead to 47-35. After getting a stop on defense, Hobbs banked in a triple for the Wolverines on the ensuing possession to bring the Wolverines within single digits, 47-38, as Ohio State geared up for the final possession of the quarter. Michigan forced a miss but OSU stole the ball on the rebound and scored as time expired for a 49-37 lead after 30 minutes.
OSU opened the fourth on a 6-2 run, forcing a Michigan timeout with 7:54 remaining facing a 55-40 deficit.
Michigan used a 6-0 run in the middle stages of the final quarter, getting within 11 at 58-47 on a Phelia layup but an Ohio State triple and a free throw with 3:01 remaining put the game out of reach for the Wolverines.
Michigan will wrap up the regular season on Sunday (March 3), hosting Purdue at 7 p.m. for Senior Night. U-M will honor Brett, Hansen, Whitney Sollom, Elise Stuck and Williams prior to the game.
