Michigan women’s basketball is moving to the second round of the NCAA Women’s tournament for the first time since 2022.
After a second-quarter run gave Iowa State the lead, the tandem of senior guard Jordan Hobbs, and freshmen Oliva Olson and Mila Holloway jarred the Wolverines to a comeback to clinch a 80-74 victory over the Cyclones on Friday afternoon in South Bend, Indiana.
Hobbs’ new career high 28 points has Michigan advancing to the next round, where it’ll play Sunday.
Jordan Hobbs hot start keyed by defense
The Wolverines forced seven Iowa State turnovers in the first quarter and caused some early foul trouble for Iowa State’s frontcourt of Audi Crooks and Addy Brown. Both had two fouls halfway into the quarter forcing them to be benched until the second.
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Hobbs had the hot hand for Michigan finishing the quarter with 10 points.
Cyclones dominating turnaround
Crooks, 6 feet 3, found her rhythm as she returned to the game in the second quarter, allowing Iowa State to surge to the lead with under three minutes left until halftime.
Michigan found itself in early foul trouble, committing six in the quarter, notably some from senior center Yulia Grabovskaia.
The Cyclones built their momentum after Brown hit a field goal in the final three minutes, bringing the game to a 29-all tie. Crooks stayed near the paint and hit a free throw to take the lead.
Iowa state used a 10-3 run to end the quarter, after Hobbs hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds, bringing the halftime score to 37-32.
Michigan’s fourth quarter rally
ISU led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Michigan began to claw back, cutting the deficit to 56-53 headed into the fourth.
Olson hit a jumper to allow the Wolverines to take a 60-58 lead with eight minutes to play. Both teams continued to match each other, but a Hobbs 3-pointer pushed U-M’s lead to six and forced an Iowa State timeout.
Both teams battled and Brown brought ISU within three, forcing Michigan to take a timeout with the score 77-74.
Olsen officially iced the game after hitting a 15-footer, and later drew a foul on a rebound, made a free throw and sent Michigan to the next round.
