Michigan
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Iowa
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Michigan Stumbles Against Iowa in Big Ten Tourney Semifinals
3/7/2026 8:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team took a one-point lead to end the third quarter after being down by as many as 11, but No. 9 Iowa outscored the Wolverines 24-9 in the final frame to record a 59-42 win over U-M on Saturday evening (March 7) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
U-M took a 36-35 lead at the end of the third quarter on a hanging jumper in the lane from Mila Holloway in the final 35 seconds as Michigan doubled up the Hawkeyes in the third, 14-7. Facing a six-point halftime deficit, Michigan got back-to-back buckets from Brooke Quarles Daniels and Ashley Sofilkanich to open the period, forcing an Iowa timeout less than a minute in.
Michigan continued to chip away at the Iowa lead, taking its first lead of the game on a three-point play from Holloway with 6:08 left on the third-quarter clock. Neither team could get much going offensively over the next several minutes until Iowa converted a layup to regain a 35-34 lead at the 1:39 mark, setting up Holloway's final jumper.
The Hawkeyes opened the fourth quarter on a 15-2 run to take control of the game, pushing the lead back to double figures at 50-38 with 4:31 left in the game. Macy Brown converted a lefty layup to stem the tide, with Michigan getting within single digits, 50-41, on a Quarles Daniels free throw at the 2:55 mark.
An Iowa free throw, followed by a three-pointer, put the game out of reach for Michigan in the waning moments.
U-M had a pair of double-figure scorers in Olivia Olson and Holloway, who each finished with 10 points. Syla Swords had nine on three triples, with four other Wolverines finding the scoring column. Iowa held a 41-32 advantage on the glass, with Michigan shooting just 27.1 percent (16-for-59) from the floor.
Iowa led by as many as 11 points in the first half before Michigan got within two, 19-17, on a Kendall Dudley free throw with 4:54 left in the second quarter. Iowa eventually took a 28-22 lead at the break, setting up Michigan's third-quarter rally.
Michigan awaits its NCAA selection, with the Selection Show set for Sunday, March 15, at 8 p.m. U-M has a NET of 6 with nine Quad 1 wins.
