The fourth-quarter scoring told the story for the Michigan women's basketball team. Iowa outscored the Wolverines 22-6, ending U-M's hopes of reaching the Big Ten title game for the first time ever.
It's the third year in a row that the Wolverines were sent packing, unceremoniously, from the Big Ten semifinals, with Iowa being the culprit two years ago, too.
After a defensive stand to end the third quarter, Michigan women's basketball led 36-35. The Wolverines seem poised to take the next step.
Then, the last 10 minutes played out the way that they did in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes' post players took over. Hannah Stuelke dominated in the fourth quarter. She finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points. She only had one rebound, but blocked two shots and dished out two assists in the 59-42 win over Michigan.
Michigan scored just six points in the fourth. The Wolverines shot 31 percent on 2-point attempts compared to 43 percent for Iowa. That was the difference in the game. Iowa also made 46 percent from deep, whereas Michigan made 19.
Michigan women's basketball has growing up to do
The Wolverines still have a lot to learn. They are young, with only three seniors on the roster. Most of the impact players are sophomores. It showed on Saturday, just like it has a few times in big games this season.
Eventually, it will click and come together. It could happen in the NCAA tournament. The Michigan women's basketball team should be a No. 2 or No. 2 seed at worst. There is a viable path to the Final Four, but if the Wolverines are going to reach it, they need to get tougher.
Iowa was the tougher team on Saturday. Maybe not the more talented, but for that talent to shine through, the Wolverines need to find a way to match that championship-level of toughness displayed by Iowa, and UCLA earlier in the day.
That's the reason those two teams are in the Big Ten title game and Michigan isn't.