Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan Rally Falls Short Against No. 23 Michigan State
1/27/2019 5:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
» After trailing by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, Michigan ended the frame on an 8-0 to get within five points to start the fourth.
» Michigan closed within four points on a putback from Naz Hillmon with 1:50 left but could not get any closer.
» Michigan had five players in double figures in Hillmon (17), Deja Church (13), Amy Dilk (13), Hallie Thome (12) and Hailey Brown (10).
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #23 Michigan State 77, Michigan 73
Records: U-M (12-9, 3-6 B1G), MSU (15-5, 5-4 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Iowa (Crisler Center), 6 p.m.
• Kornacki: Munger Injury Puts Emphasis on Lineup Adjustments
• Watch: Coach Barnes Arico Postgame Press Conference
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team closed within four points on a putback from freshman Naz Hillmon with 1:50 remaining but could not complete the comeback, falling to No. 23-ranked Michigan State, 77-73, on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 27) at Crisler Center.
Michigan forced a Spartan miscue with 1:14 left, getting the ball back on the sideline and down just four. U-M threw the ball away on the inbound and was forced to foul the rest of the way. Sophomore Deja Church made a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, with Hillmon making good on a putback with one second left to provide the final margin.
The Wolverines had five players in double figures, led by Hillmon's double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Church had 13 points, freshman Amy Dilk had 13, senior Hallie Thome had 12 and sophomore Hailey Brown chipped in 10 points. Michigan held a 40-34 advantage on the glass, but MSU hit 11 triples to Michigan's four.
Michigan held a 16-10 first-quarter lead before senior Nicole Munger went down with an injury with 3:45 remaining. MSU finished the final 3:45 on a 13-2 run for a 23-18 lead after 10 minutes.
The Spartans took a 41-31 lead at the half, once again using a 13-2 run to close the period.
MSU took a 15-point lead, 52-37, with 5:05 to go in the third quarter to force a Michigan timeout.
Michigan closed within nine, 57-48, with 1:38 left in the third to force a Spartan timeout after a Thome bucket in the paint. Church scored on Michigan's next possession, with a Hillmon layup bringing the home team within five points, 57-52, after 30 minutes.
Michigan State's lead hovered around nine points for the opening minutes of the final quarter until Michigan made its late push.
U-M will wrap up a two-game homestand on Thursday night (Jan. 31), when they host No. 17 Iowa at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
