No. 17 Michigan women’s basketball cruises past Michigan State

Saturday afternoon, No. 17 Michigan women’s basketball cruised to a 70-55 win over the unranked Michigan State Spartans at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The win improves the Wolverines’ season record to 15-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten play.

Michigan downs MSU with ease

For Michigan women’s basketball, today’s win was nothing new. So far this year the Wolverines have won 15 of their 18 games and have been nationally ranked in the top 25 for the entire season. Throughout the 2022-23 season, U-M has compiled some huge wins such as an 84-75 win over No. 21 Baylor, a 76-68 win at No. 6 North Carolina, and more.

In Michigan’s most recent matchup, the Wolverines improved to 5-2 in Big Ten play (4th place in conference standings) with a 15-point win over their in-state rival. Michigan women’s basketball was led by senior guard Leigha Brown, who went off for 17 points, six assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Behind Brown was a series of other impactful Wolverines, including Emily Kiser (14 points), Maddie Nolan (10 points), and Laila Phelia (12 points).

Michigan shot 43.4 percent from the floor, 45 percent from 3-point-range, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line in its win over MSU. On defense, Michigan women’s basketball limited the Spartans to 55 points total, forced 22 turnovers, blocked three shots, and racked up five steals. Needless to say, it was a dominant outing on both sides of the ball.

It doesn’t get easier from here

While Michigan’s win over MSU is nice, the Wolverines need to stay focused at their next five games are an absolute gauntlet. In the coming weeks, Michigan women’s basketball will face Rutgers, No. 6 Indiana, No. 9 Maryland, Minnesota, and No. 24 Illinois. After this brutal five-game stretch, U-M will head north to face Michigan State in East Lansing.

The season has been in full-swing for awhile now, and KBA will have her Wolverines focused in ready, but the schedule is tough and Michigan must find a way to finish strong. When it’s all said and done, this could be one of the best Michigan women’s basketball teams we have ever seen as they build off of their Elite 8 appearance from last year.