Michigan Finally Delivers Knockout Blow
by Brad Gossett, Excel High School Sports
In today’s second quarterfinal of the 2019 BiG Ten Women’s Basketball Championship’s Michigan outlasted a game Wisconsin team that was playing it’s third game in a row.
The Badgers matched the Wolverines physical intensity and trailed only 15 to 11 after one quarter.
The second quarter was dominated with tough Badger defense along with Niya Beverly scoring six of her first half eight total points in the period leading to the Badgers a one point halftime lead of 29 to 28.
The second half started with both teams trading three pointers.
Michigan then went on a five zero run from Hallie Thome with a easy layup and a deft assist to Nicole Munger for a shot from downtown Indianapolis to take a 39 to 35 lead. Wisconsin battled back and both teams traded leads until midway in the last stanza.
At this point, Michigan could see the tired legs of the three game Lady Badgers and extended the lead to seven with 3:30 to play.
But don’t count out the Badgers just yet. With solid defense the Badgers tie the game with 23.9 seconds left.
And even with tired legs the Badgers take Michigan to overtime, not once but twice for the right to play Maryland, the number one seed in the semi-finals.
Wisconsin ran out of gas near the end of the second overtime and Michigan finally pulled away for the win.
Michigan was led by Hallie Thome’s 18 points and seven rebounds with Naz Hillmon adding 15 and Hailey Brown’s 12. Carmel’s Amy Dilk added nine points and team leading nine boards in 44 minutes.
Wisconsin was led by a foursome with Niya Beverley 15 leading the way.
Photo by: Steven Underwood, Excel High School Sports
Fellow Badgers Imani Lewis added 13, Marsha Howard 12 and Kelly Karlis 10. Kendra Van Leeuwen had a game high eight assists.
Photo by: Steven Underwood, Excel High School Sports
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