Michigan
22-6,13-4Big Ten
Nebraska
24-7,11-7Big Ten
Wolverines Claw Back, Fall to Nebraska in B1G Quarterfinal
3/4/2022 11:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team fought back from a 14-point first half deficit and led by six midway through the fourth quarter, but Nebraska converted a three-point play with 1:30 left that proved to be the difference as the Huskers came away with a 76-73 win Friday night (March 4) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
U-M took a four-point lead, 71-67, on a Leigha Brown jumper with 2:36 to play in the game. After Nebraska scored four straight points to knot it at 71 with 2:04 remaining, Naz Hillmon converted a putback layup for a 73-71 advantage at the 1:39 mark.
Nebraska converted a three-pointer the next trip down, grabbing a one-point lead with 1:30 left. Brown missed a shot on the ensuing play, with Hillmon picking up a foul trying to get the rebound. Michigan got a stop on its next defensive possession as Hillmon blocked the shot attempt and Laila Phelia corralled the board.
Michigan got the ball back with 23 seconds remaining and retained possession on a jump ball call with eight seconds to go. The Wolverines turned it over on the inbounds play and were forced to foul. The Huskers converted two free throws with 4.4 remaining, and U-M called timeout to advance the ball. Michigan's three-point shot fell short as Nebraska picked up the three-point win.
Hillmon recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Laila Phelia paced the Wolverines with 19 points. Brown came off the bench to score 16 points in her second game back from injury. U-M held a 32-27 advantage on the glass and forced 17 turnovers.
Michigan got off to a slow start, trailing by as many as 14 points in the first quarter. The Huskers led 26-14 after 10 minutes, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in the initial frame.
The Huskers scored the first two points of the second quarter but Michigan uncorked a 22-4 run the rest of the way. After Nebraska scored first, Michigan scored 11 straight points to get within three, 28-25, capped by a pair of Brown free throws with 4:45 on the clock.
The Huskers scored with 3:27 on the clock to push their lead back to five, 30-25, but Hillmon hit a turnaround jumper to beat the shot clock and again make it a one-possession game with 2:54 left before halftime.
U-M took its first lead of the game on a pullup from Brown with 1:52 remaining in the half, but Nebraska countered right back to reclaim the advantage. U-M scored the final five points of the quarter, including a buzzer-beating triple from Emily Kiser to send the Wolverines to halftime with a 36-32 lead.
Nebraska scored seven of the first eight points of the third quarter and regained a 39-37 lead before a Hillmon layup pulled Michigan back even.
The teams were tied at 45 with 4:45 remaining at the media timeout, but Nebraska scored nine of the next 11 points for a 54-47 lead. Hillmon found Phelia through a double team for a triple, with Kiser hitting a long two with 14 seconds remaining in the quarter as Michigan drew within two, 54-52.
Michigan was called for its ninth foul of the quarter on Nebraska's final possession, with the Huskers making two free throws for a 56-52 lead after 30 minutes.
U-M opened the fourth quarter on a 15-5 run, grabbing a 67-61 lead with 5:39 to go and setting up the final sequence.
Michigan will now await its NCAA Tournament selection. The NCAA Selection Show is set for Sunday, March 13 at 8 p.m.
