Michigan women’s basketball was down 21-15 at the end of the first 10 minutes to Michigan State, but halfway through the ensuing quarter, Michigan went on a 12-0 run and ended the half up by 11, 41-30. The second half was hard fought, as rivalry games are wont, but the lead was always double figures.
Here are three reactions to a win that clinched a season sweep of Michigan State for the Michigan women's basketball team.
Hustle-Fueled Run that Wins the Game (TM)
As usual, the game-deciding 12-0 run was the result of hustle plays, especially by senior Brooke Quarles Daniels. Sophomore Kendall Dudley started the run with a layup from a wrap-around pass from Quarles Daniels. But before that, Quarles Daniels–the shortest player on the floor at 5’ 7” had two offensive rebounds. As a matter of fact, during this run, she had another offensive rebound, another assist, and a steal. Despite having only five points, she impacted the game in so many ways. She had the second-most rebounds, led the team in assists and steals, and with a +24 was second to sophomore Olivia Olson’s +26 in +/-. This is a sports statistic that measures a player's impact on the game by calculating the net score differential while that player is on the floor. This stat should be renamed “The Quarles Daniels Quantification,” or QDQ for short.
Flowers for Mathurin
Freshman McKenzie Mathurin logged 10:56, gaining valuable playing time. She was on the floor during the start of the game-winning run and was strong on her defense, rotating when her teammates doubled. She was confident on the floor, at one point instructing Holloway to move to a better spot and attempting a step-back 3 pt shot that missed. She got her points from a made 3 pt-er in the 4th quarter. But it was her earlier fast break layup that showed her situational understanding. At the start of the MSU possession, she was guarding a wing at the 3 pt line, then switched twice, ending up doubling MSU senior Grace VanSlooten, who was All-Big Ten second team last year. Because of the pressure, VanSlooten attempted an ill-advised cross-court pass that was stolen by Holloway, who passed downcourt to a streaking Mathurin for her solo layup.
Looking ahead
Michigan women's basketball has a week off before the next game on Sunday, 2/22, in Iowa. This is followed by an evening game on Wednesday, 2/25, at OSU, and finishing up at home on Saturday, 2/28, versus Maryland. Michigan, Iowa and OSU will be jockeying for the second seed in the Big Ten tournament.
While the top four seeds have a double-bye, the second seed won’t have to face first seed UCLA, which is the #2 team in the nation, and recently defeated Michigan at home. Sixth-place Maryland is on a four-game winning streak and will be looking to sneak into the top four seeds. Coach Kim Barnes Arico’s team has plenty to play for.