Michigan
15-7,6-5Big Ten
Purdue
15-9,6-6Big Ten
Wolverines Grind Out Home Win Over Purdue
2/6/2020 9:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
» With U-M holding a one-point lead, Michigan got a bucket from Naz Hillmon with 17 seconds left to push its lead to three points. U-M used its remaining fouls on Purdue's possession and eventually forced a turnover to seal the game.
» Hillmon (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Akienreh Johnson (17 points, 10 rebounds) each turned in double-doubles, with Hailey Brown chipping in 16 points.
» U-M regained a lead on the final possession of the first quarter on a triple from Michelle Sidor and never trailed again.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: Michigan 66, Purdue 63
Records: U-M (15-7, 6-5 B1G), Purdue (15-9, 6-6 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Feb. 10 -- at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 6 p.m. CST
• Watch: Postgame Report: Purdue
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore Naz Hillmon scored with 17 seconds left to push the Wolverine lead to three points and the defense forced a turnover on the ensuing possession as the University of Michigan women's basketball team grinded out a 66-63 win over Purdue on Thursday evening (Feb. 6) at Crisler Center.
With Michigan clinging to a one-point lead with 37 seconds left, senior Akienreh Johnson found Hillmon for a bucket underneath to push the lead to three, 66-63, with 17 ticks go. Michigan used its remaining fouls to take some time off the clock, eventually forcing a Purdue turnover with a little over three seconds left.
Following a Purdue foul, Michigan got the ball in and the game appeared to be over. Following a lengthy review, the officials decided the U-M did not touch the ball and put 1.8 seconds on the clock for Purdue. The Boilers' desperation heave did not come close as Michigan wrapped up a three-point win.
Hillmon led the way for Michigan with her eighth double-double of the season, going for 19 points and 12 boards. Johnson also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while junior Hailey Brown chipped in 16 points. Sophomore Amy Dilk handed out eight assists and freshman Maddie Nolan went for two points, six boards and four blocks in her first collegiate start.
Michigan raced out to a quick 4-0 lead on a layup and pair of free throws from Hillmon, but Purdue answered with seven straight to take the lead.
The teams went back and forth over the rest of the period, with freshman Michelle Sidor hitting a left-wing triple to push Michigan back on top, 16-13, after 10 minutes.
Michigan scored the first four points of the second quarter for a 20-13 lead on back-to-back layups from Hillmon and freshman Izabel Varejão to force a Purdue timeout just 1:36 into the period.
U-M took its largest lead of the game, 31-16, after an 11-0 run that featured a pair of Brown triples, a layup from Varejão and a trey from Johnson with 4:51 to go in the second period.
Purdue closed the quarter with an 8-2 run, giving Michigan a 38-30 lead at the half.
A free throw from Dilk with 4:23 to go in the third quarter staked Michigan a 50-38 lead, but Purdue answered with eight straight to get within four, 50-46. A Dilk jumper in the lane, followed by a Hillmon putback settled Michigan down and gave the Maize and Blue a 54-46 lead with 23 seconds left. Purdue scored on the final possession of the third to trim Michigan's lead to six, 54-48, heading into the fourth quarter.
Michigan saw its lead trimmed to one, 60-59, with 3:50 to go in the contest to force a Wolverine timeout. Out of the break, Brown nailed her fourth triple of the contest to push Michigan back in forth by four just 17 seconds later.
Purdue scored four of the next five points to get within one point, setting up the final sequence.
Michigan will be back in action Monday (Feb. 10), traveling to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers. The game is set for 6 p.m. CST and can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.
