Michigan
20-13,9-9Big Ten
Iowa
28-4,15-3Big Ten
Wolverines Bow Out of B1G Tourney in Semifinals
3/9/2024 7:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team (20-13) dropped a 95-68 contest to No. 3-ranked Iowa on Saturday (March 9) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center.
Michigan had a trio of double-figure scorers, led by Laila Phelia's 32 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Jordan Hobbs turned in 14 points with four rebounds, while Lauren Hansen had 13. U-M hit its first seven three-pointers to race out to an early lead but made just four of its next 13, shooting 47.8 percent from deep for the game. Iowa held a 36-26 advantage on the glass and outscored the Wolverines 54-16 in the paint.
Three free throws from Hobbs got Michigan on the board in the opening minutes after Iowa scored the first four points. Back-to-back triples from Hansen brought Michigan within a point, 13-12, near the midway point of the first quarter after Iowa led by as many as six over the first four minutes.
Michigan uncorked an 8-0 run after the score was tied at 17, getting back-to-back triples from Phelia and Hansen, with a pair of free throws from Hansen giving Michigan a 25-17 lead with 1:54 remaining. Iowa scored the final five points of the quarter and Michigan held a 25-22 lead after 10 minutes. U-M went a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range in the first quarter to help take the lead.
The Iowa run continued in the second as the Hawkeyes scored the first four points of the second quarter for a one-point lead. Hobbs hit a triple to regain a 28-26 advantage moments later, but Iowa scored seven straight, forcing a Michigan timeout at the 7:45 mark facing a 33-28 deficit.
The Hawkeyes pushed their lead to double figures in the middle stages of the second quarter, with a pair of free throws from Phelia with 2:44 left bringing Michigan back within seven at 44-37. The teams went back-and-forth in the closing moments of the half, with a Hobbs three-pointer pulling Michigan within nine, 51-42, after 20 minutes.
Iowa extended its lead to 15, 60-45, by virtue of a 9-3 run to start the third quarter. Michigan trimmed the lead to 14 but did not get closer the rest of the quarter, facing a 72-55 deficit after 30 minutes.
The Hawkeyes used an 18-4 run over the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to stop any Michigan comeback attempt, eventually taking the 95-68 win.
Michigan will learn its postseason fate on Selection Sunday, set for March 17 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
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