January, February, Michigan, April. It’s officially the best time of the year as Michigan women’s basketball heads to the annual March Madness in the NCAA Tournament. Following a cold streak to end the season this year, going 2-4 in their final six games, the Wolverines enter the tournament as a 6-seed.
In their first game, Michigan got paired up against UNLV, an 11-seed on a 22-game win streak heading into the tournament. Needless to say, the Rebels were hot and had all the confidence in the world, as they had not lost a game since mid-December. Still, that hot streak wasn’t quite enough, as the Wolverines would go on to win the first-round matchup 71-59.
1st Quarter
It immediately became clear that this would be a physical game, with both teams not afraid to take a shot or two. After a few empty possessions in a row, Kiser got the scoring started with a deep 3-point shot. From here, the teams went back and forth, leading to a close initial battle.
Through bodies hitting the floor and whistles blowing, the physical first quarter led to a total of six personal fouls called through the first 10 minutes. The intensity was apparent right from the get-go.
While the game was close early on, with the score tied 7-7 just around 4 minutes into the match, Leigha Brown decided she’d had enough. Brown would go on to score four straight for the Wolverines, leading her team to make a run late in the first.
Michigan pulled away late in the quarter, entering the second leading 17-9.
2nd Quarter
Following a 12-2 run to close the 1st quarter, the scoring continued for the Wolverines as they put their foot on the gas. Michigan scored the first five points of the quarter, while senior guard Maddie Nolan scored five points by herself within the first minute and a half.
It also became apparent in this quarter that the UNLV Rebels could not compete with Michigan’s height and length. The Wolverines implemented trapping into their defense, forcing the shorter UNLV guards into difficult positions, leading to plenty of turnovers.
If the Rebels didn’t make a change fast, it was becoming clear that the game could be getting away from them soon, and that’s precisely what they did. Making use of a full-court press and some open 3-point shots, UNLV would go on a 9-1 run, closing the gap to just 25-20 with a little over two minutes remaining in the half.
Still, despite the run, the Wolverines’ defense, with six steals and two blocks, would take Michigan to the locker room ahead by eight points, leading 28-20.
3rd Quarter
To start the third, UNLV was prepped and ready to go, scoring in two straight possessions and forcing a turnover on the Wolverine’s first possession of the quarter. It was clear that the shots were starting to fall, and Michigan was beginning to lose that controlling lead they found in the first half as it came as close as being a three-point game.
However, that’s as close as it would get in the quarter as the Wolverines’ senior presence began to shine with players like Leigha Brown, Maddie Nolan and Emily Kiser all making big play after big play en route to yet another Michigan women’s basketball run, bringing the lead back up to 12 points within a matter of minutes.
To finish off the quarter, the physical nature of the game once again came to the forefront as personal fouls, and taped-up scratches became the focus. Still, through it all, Michigan took a strong 54-43 lead into the final quarter.
4th Quarter
Heading into the fourth quarter, it was important for Michigan to simply hold on to the lead and not allow UNLV to claw their way back into the game. Still, Maddie Nolan showed early on that it wouldn’t be an issue, hitting a 3-point shot straight away, her fourth 3-pointer on the day.
If the Rebels wanted to make a comeback, it was important that their defense could shine and not allow the teams to trade baskets. Unfortunately for them, there are too many weapons on the Wolverines’ offense, and coach Kim Barnes Arico and company were able to close out the game with relative ease. Michigan women’s basketball would go on to take the game 71-59.
Overview
Ultimately, despite being a close game early on, Michigan women’s basketball had a controlling lead for most of the game. The Wolverines’ defense was elite throughout the game, forcing 14 turnovers and holding star UNLV forward Desi-Rae Young to just 11 points on the day.
Michigan’s offense wasn’t too shabby either, with star seniors Emily Kiser and Maddie Nolan leading the way with 18 points each. Guard Laila Phelia led the team in rebounds with 11, while guard Leigha Brown led in assists with seven on the day. It was a genuinely dominant showing from the Wolverines, and now, Michigan women’s basketball has officially won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament five years in a row.
Looking Ahead
As is NCAA Tournament tradition, things only get more challenging the deeper you get into March Madness. Looking toward the future, Michigan prepares to faceoff against either LSU or Hawaii in the second-round, who are set to play each other today at 5:30 p.m. EST.
LSU is by far the favorite to move forward in the tournament, as the Tigers out of Baton Rouge, LA have lost just two games all year. The fact they find themselves as a 3-seed is almost criminal, as LSU has proven to be one of the best teams in the country all season long. While you have to beat the best to be the best, I’m sure Michigan fans wouldn’t mind watching the Rainbow Wahines upset the Tigers in tonight’s matchup.
Still, no matter who the Wolverines play in the next round, it’s important they bring their A-game as it is March and anything can happen. The Wolverines are set to play again this Sunday, March 19, 2023.
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