Michigan women’s basketball: Wolverines best No. 24 Illinois, improve to 18-5

On Thursday, the 18th/19th-ranked Michigan women’s basketball team (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) put its 7-3 home record to the test against UR/No. 24 the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-6, 7-5 Big Ten) at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI. The Wolverines have now won two-straight heading into their matchup at Michigan State (11-10, 3-7 Big Ten) this weekend.

Michigan came into tonight’s matchup ranked 18th in the AP poll, and 19th in the coaches poll; meanwhile, Illinois entered tonight unranked in the AP poll and ranked 24th in the coaches poll. Both teams were ranked in both majors polls a week ago, though costly losses over the past week have knocked both down a few spots.

Wolverines earn quality victory vs. Illinois

Heading into tonight’s contest, Michigan and Illinois appeared to be a relatively even matchup. The game appeared to come down to Michigan’s defense — which gave 2.2 points-per-game fewer than the Illini — against Illinois’ offense — which scored 2.0 points-per-game more than the Wolverines did per game.

The strong point of Illinois’ offense is its 3-point shooting — the Illini entered tonight’s game shooting nearly 39 percent from three (compared to the Wolverines’ 35.2 percent). That being said, Michigan women’s basketball came into tonight’s matchup shooting better from the floor and the charity stripe — two significant factors in the Wolverines’ win.

This year, the magic number for the Michigan women’s basketball team is 60; the Wolverines are now 12-0 when they hold their opponents to 60 or less throughout the game. Tonight, Michigan did just that en route to an impressive 17-point victory.

Michigan’s win tonight puts the Wolverines one step closer to appearing in their 50th-consecutive AP poll next week — the 8th-longest active streak in college basketball. If Michigan women’s basketball can defeat the Spartans on Sunday, it all but guarantees that the Wolverines’ streak will remain in-tact.

Michigan women’s basketball plays tremendous first half

First quarter

After one quarter, Michigan women’s basketball leads Illinois 14-9 here at the Crisler Center. Hobbs, Brown, and Williams all with four as we head into the second quarter of action. Game is live on the Big Ten Network. #GoBlue

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) February 2, 2023

After winning the game’s opening tip, Michigan and Illinois traded defensive blows before the Wolverines broke the 0-0 tied behind a short jumper from 5th-year guard Leigha Brown. 5th-year forward Emily Kiser buried a pair of free throws to give the Wolverines a 4-0 lead, which quickly became a 6-0 lead behind a layup from junior forward Cameron Williams.

Michigan’s lead grew to 10-2 behind another beautiful basket from Cameron Williams but was cut to just three points after Illinois scored on back-to-back possessions. The Fighting Illini continued their scoring run with a pair of free throws from junior guard Genesis Bryant, who brought the game within one point. Leigha Brown extended Michigan’s lead to three points a few possessions later with a short jump shot.

Once again, Michigan women’s basketball and the Fighting Illini traded defensive blows as the quarter ended. After one, the Wolverines held a 14-9 lead over Illinois.

Second quarter

Michigan women’s basketball opened up the second quarter of action by trading more defensive blows with the Illini. After a few possessions, Michigan sophomore guard Jordan Hobbs buried a turnaround jumper that pushed Michigan’s lead to 16-9. After forcing a pair of turnovers, the Wolverines extended their lead to 18-9 before Illinois got back on the board, making it an 18-11 ballgame.

An “and-1” play by Leigha Brown again gave Michigan women’s basketball even more momentum — Brown sunk her free throw to make it a 10-point ballgame before an Illinois 3-pointer brought the game within seven.

Soon after the Fighting Illini nailed a 3-ball, the Wolverines responded with one of their own from senior guard Maddie Nolan. Nolan’s 3-pointer gave Michigan women’s basketball a 26-14 lead and forced an Illinois timeout. Back-to-back Michigan baskets out of the timeout pushed the Wolverines’ lead to 31-14 before junior guard/forward Elise Stuck earned Michigan three more points with a basket and a free throw of her own.

With four minutes remaining in half, Michigan’s lead was up to 22 points after a layup by Emily Kiser. A Maddie Nolan 3-pointer got Crisler on its feet as the Wolverines’ lead grew to 39-16 before the half. At the end of the half, the Crisler Center jumbotron read: Michigan 41, Illinois 22.

Michigan women’s basketball is now 18-0 on the season when leading at halftime, an impressive statistic to say the least.

Wolverines finish the job in the second half

Third quarter

Michigan women’s basketball opened up the second half with a quick defensive stop and an ensuing basket — the Wolverines’ lead was extended to 21 before an Illinois foul gave Michigan the ball back. Michigan’s 41-22 halftime lead quickly fell to a 43-28 lead — nothing that had fans anxious; however, something that the Wolverines needed to work out.

As the Wolverines’ offense stuttered to start the half, Illinois climbed within 13 points (45-32) before Emily Kiser got the Wolverines back on the board. The Illini responded to keep the game within 13 before a media timeout sent both teams to their respective benches. An Illinois 3-pointer fresh out of the break brought Michigan’s lead within ten before Emily Kiser scored her 8th point, giving the Wolverines a 12-point lead.

A pair of baskets from sophomore guard Ari Wiggins gave the Wolverines a 55-41 lead with only one quarter remaining.

Fourth quarter

To open the game’s final quarter of play, Michigan women’s basketball continued to see its offense stutter. The Wolverines could not manage to score after a minute of play, though the Illini did and cut Michigan’s lead back down to 12. The Fighting Illini did just that — fight their way back into the contest. Michigan’s offense seemed to fall apart in the game’s later stages as Illinois attempted to mount a comeback.

With just five minutes remaining, Illinois had clawed its way back into the game yet still trailed 59-51. A pair of free throws by Leigha Brown extended Michigan’s lead back to 10, though it was cut back down to eight by the Fighting Illini on the ensuing possession. After continuing to trade shots, the Wolverines managed to pull ahead by 11 behind free throws by Leigha Brown and freshman forward Chyra Evans.

Michigan women’s basketball was tested from the free throw line as the game wound. Michigan’s shooting from the charity stripe was good enough to get the Wolverines’ double-digit lead back and close out the game with a victory.

When the clock hit all zeros, Michigan took home a 74-57 win to kick off February.

Michigan downs Illinois behind Leigha Brown’s massive performance

A week after scoring a career-high 31 points against No. 6 Indiana, Leigha Brown scored an impressive 27 points in Michigan’s victory over Illinois. The Wolverines also saw great performances from Maddie Nolan and Emily Kiser, who both finished with 10 points all said and done.

Michigan now must hit the road to face Michigan State at the Breslin Center on Sunday at 3 pm (EST). The game will be broadcast on BTN+.

Michigan women’s basketball is now 18-5 on the season, though it still sits a few games back in the Big Ten title picture. Still, the Wolverines are on the right track to a solid NCAA tournament seed and more later this year. Over the past two seasons, head coach Kim Barnes-Arico and Co. brought the Wolverines’ program to new heights with a Sweet 16 run in 2021, and an Elite 8 finish a year ago.

Next month, KBA and the Wolverines will look to break through Michigan’s new glass ceiling and hang even more prestigious banners from the rafters of the Crisler Center.

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