No. 21 Michigan State third-quarter explosion overwhelms No. 24 Michigan, 88-58

The No. 24 Michigan women’s basketball team had a chance. At home against No. 21 Michigan State — marking the first time the rivals were both ranked in a matchup — the Wolverines built up a four-point lead at halftime. Powered by defense and transition offense, it seemed like Michigan could extend its win streak to five and regain the top position in the rivalry.

But then came the third quarter.

Outscoring the Wolverines (14-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten) 31-12 in the third quarter, the Spartans (17-3, 7-2) dominated the second-half. Michigan State extended its win streak in the rivalry to three, trouncing Michigan in Ann Arbor, 88-58.

In the first quarter, though, Michigan’s typical defensive intensity held tight. Freshman guards Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway poked the ball loose. Their active hands were enough to either knock the ball out of bounds or strip it and run coast-to-coast in transition. Only one first-quarter make — a corner three from senior guard Jordan Hobbs — fell outside of the paint.

On the other end, the Spartans attacked downhill just as frequently, utilizing their size advantage on the glass to extend possessions. After each make or Michigan rebound, they enacted their full-court press. The moment the ball touched a Wolverine’s hands, guards Jocelyn Tate and Jaddan Simmons pounced. Yet those collisions resulted in fouls just as frequently as steals or disrupted passes, giving Michigan opportunities at the free-throw line.

With inconsistent shooting the first quarter – going just 1-for-5 from deep and 5-of-15 overall — each of Michigan’s perfect 7-for-7 free throws negated Michigan State’s strong interior finishes. With the Wolverines in the bonus and attacking the paint, their free throws resulted in a slim 18-17 first-quarter lead.

But the Wolverines’ aggressive mentality soon came back to bite them in the foul column, too. 

With Olson, freshman guard Syla Swords and junior center Yulia Grabovskaia racking up two fouls apiece in the second quarter, Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico was forced to shuffle around some lineups. Accordingly, Michigan State began racking up attempts at the free throw line. The Spartans kept the game close in the second quarter with 6-for-8 shooting at the charity stripe, despite shooting a poor 3-for-11 from the floor and 0-for-6 from outside, trailing just 33-29 at halftime.

But to start the third quarter, the Spartans’ shots finally began to drop — and the storm of 3-pointers was a downpour.

Shooting out on a 10-0 run to begin the third quarter — powered by two threes from guard Julia Ayrault — Michigan State seized a six-point lead. A Michigan timeout couldn’t stop the bleeding, as Michigan State dialed up its press. Forcing the Wolverines to take uncomfortable shots and snatching four steals, the Spartans surged in transition for an 8-0 run and ballooned their lead up to 15. Outscoring Michigan 31-12 in the third quarter — surpassing their entire first-half total — Michigan State had the game all but won.

Instead of flipping the switch in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines continued their spiral. The Spartans continued to launch threes, sinking four more and bringing their second-half total to 8-of-15. Michigan never found an answer, as Michigan State extended its lead with a 28-13 fourth-quarter.

So while a strong first half set the Wolverines up for success, their second-half collapse spelled out their downfall.

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