The Michigan women’s hoops team fell just short in a 82-70 loss to the top-seeded USC Trojans in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Michigan will now await to hear where its fate in the NCAA Tournament:
The Michigan Wolverines fell just short in a 82-70 loss to the top-seeded USC Trojans in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Michigan held a 31-29 lead at halftime, but couldn’t hang on down the stretch as USC forged ahead in the fourth quarter.
Syla Swords posted a team-high 26 points and six rebounds, while fellow star freshman Olivia Olson added 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Jordan Hobbs followed up her 23-point showing against Maryland with 12 points on Saturday.
Final from Gainbridge:
No. 2 USC 82, Michigan 70#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/k1VUyoMAkD
— Michigan Women’s Basketball (@umichwbball) March 8, 2025
FIRST HALF
Despite being a heavy underdog entering the game, Michigan came out with a ton of energy and went on a 6-0 run to seize momentum in the early minutes. Just before the first-quarter buzzer, Swords drilled a three-pointer to take a 15-12 lead.
The Wolverines continued to turn up the intensity in the second quarter as Olson picked up a steal and finished a layup on the other end, followed by Hobbs hitting back to back three-pointers to cap off an 8-0 run and help extend the lead to 27-18.
Michigan did a great job slowing down Big Ten Player of the Year JuJu Watkins in the first half, as she put up just four points on 2-of-9 shooting. Meanwhile, Swords racked up 14 points in the first half .
What a first half for Syla Swords
14 points and 4 rebounds already for the freshman!
#B1GWBBT x @umichwbball pic.twitter.com/pB28ohYOTB
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) March 8, 2025
SECOND HALF
Swords started the second half just as she finished the first half, knocking down a shot to put the Wolverines up 42-36. USC’s offense finally started to get it going, putting together an 11-2 spurt to take a 53-52 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Trojans went up 58-54, but Michigan responded as Olson scored two consecutive buckets to tie it with 7:30 to go. It appeared the game would come down to the wire until USC went on a 13-0 run as the Wolverines missed six straight shots.
Michigan wasn’t able to take down USC and move onto the championship, but it was a successful trip to Indianapolis as the Wolverines beat Washington and Maryland en route to reaching a second consecutive Big Ten Tournament semifinal.
UP NEXT
The Wolverines were hoping to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Tournament title game for the first time in school history before coming up short to USC. Michigan will now await to hear its fate in the NCAA Tournament.