The top 10 non-conference showdown was for the Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark, New Jersey. For the game, Michigan women's basketball shot below their season average vs. Vandy = 41% FG, 30% 3pt, Season = 47% FG, 33% 3pt. The fourth period was especially poor, 36% FG, 0% 3pt (0-5), and it cost the Wolverines the game. But the reason why they were in that position was their defense that showcased the team’s grit and determination. From 8:18 in the third quarter till the end of the game, they chopped down Vandy’s 19-point lead by holding them to 7 of 23 shooting and forcing 10 of their 17 turnovers.
With less than 16 seconds left in the game, Michigan had two great looks by its ace shooters, Olivia Olson and Syla Swords. Down by two, the ball worked its way to Olson alone at the top of the key behind the 3-point line with 7.7 seconds on the clock. The expected swish was, instead, a clank. Many Michigan fans would’ve bet money on that being good. With 2.5 seconds left, Vanderbilt freshman Aubrey Galvan only made one of two free throws, making the score 72-69 Vandy. Swords had to shoot over a 6’ 4” Vanderbilt junior Alvana Mictchell with .05 on the clock and also found only the rim.
There is nothing but positives to come from this game. Vanderbilt is a talented team that starts an experienced front court of two grad students and a senior, and with Galvan in the backcourt, is All-American sophomore Mikayla Blakes. They deserve their ranking. But Michigan’s core of sophomores, Swords, Olson, Mila Holloway, Kendal Dudley, and Te'Yala Delfosse deserve their ranking too. They showed grit and toughness. Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said after the game, “We put ourselves in a position a couple of times to win the game. We just didn’t get those shots to fall down the stretch.” In the future, when they put themselves in those positions, chances are excellent that the shots will find nothing but net.