The No. 6 Michigan Wolverines managed to overcome a 20-point deficit, and despite Syla Swords getting red hot late against the No. 1 UConn Huskies, UConn survived with a 72-69 victory
Michigan’s national profile is steadily rising after the Wolverines demolished Notre Dame at the Shamrock Classic, 93-54, in a performance where Michigan’s star sophomore trio, depth, and newfound size were on full display. This test was even tougher, with UConn being No. 1 in the country — a dynasty in sports under Geno Auriemma for most of this centrury — in an arena 28.4 miles away from UConn’s campus.
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UConn jumped out to a 15-point early, capitalizing on fast break opportunities and knocking down 46 percent of their shots in the first half alone. Michigan played much better after a 22-5 first quarter, with Michigan using an 18-2 run in the third quarter to make it a two-point game early in the fourth quarter. Syla Swords kept knocking down shots, and the Wolverines locked down the Huskies late, making Geno Auriemma’s squad work for every bucket late and proving they can compete with the blue bloods of the sport.
First Quarter
UConn established a quick pace and played physical defense, jumping out to a 10-3 lead early, with a Syla Swords wing three being the sole Michigan basket over the first five minutes. Michigan struggled offensively early, in this stretch, turning the ball over three times and shooting 1/7 from the field.
UConn’s size made a huge difference, with the Huskies owning the paint aside from an Olivia Olson lay-up through contact in that first half. UConn ended the half on a 17-2 run, with Sarah Strong and Ashlynn Shade pouring in six points each. You never want to be in a 17-point hole after a quarter, but that’s exactly where Michigan found itself.
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Second Quarter
Both teams traded buckets to start the quarter, with Olson scoring another bucket, Te’Yala Delfosse knocking down a desperation three, and Swords hitting another three from the wing. But UConn just did not let up, with Azzi Fudd getting up to 10 points and UConn jumping out to a 31-13 lead.
The Huskie defense forced two five-second calls in that first half, and the Huskies pounded the ball inside, besting the Wolverines in paint points that half, 18-8. The Huskies also had a big lead in fast break points (13-0), with Michigan not getting the first-half stops to jumpstart transition opportunities that turned the Notre Dame game into a track meet.
Tough buckets from Holloway and Olson helped Michigan settle in and stay within striking distance, and the Huskies only outscored the Wolverines by one point that quarter, but UConn led at the half, 45-27, with 18 of those points coming from a hot-shooting Fudd.
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Third Quarter
Michigan grabbed a bit of momentum back early in the third quarter when Olson and Swords knocked down threes to cut down the UConn lead to 14 at the media timeout mid-way through the quarter.
An 18-2 scoring run over most of the third quarter helped Michigan cut the lead to seven, highlighted by Swords steadily knocking down threes. Michigan was really rolling in this quarter; with a combination of sharpshooting and much better zone defense, Michigan dominated in that third quarter, outscoring UConn, 18-4, over those 10 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
Michigan cut the lead to two with an Olivia Olson bucket, but Azzi Fudd knocked down a much-needed three on the next possession to bring the lead back up to five. A few missed layups by the Wolverines and another Fudd three helped UConn get the lead back up to eight points.
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Fudd hit yet another dagger three to make it an 11-point game mid-way through the quarter. Key buckets from Olson made it an six-point, two-possession game with two minutes to play.
A HUGE three from Syla Swords made it a three-point game with 42.2 seconds to play. UConn utilized high-low passing in the zone to get Strong a bucket and make it a five-point game with 26 seconds left. Swords just stayed hot, hitting another three — her seventh of the game — to make it a two-point game with 21.7 seconds left.
Fudd knocked down some important free throws, and Swords somehow hit ANOTHER three off of two flare screens to make it 70-69 with 8.7 seconds left. After two more Fudd free throws — she finished with a game-high 31 points — UConn stripped the ball from Swords. Michigan ended up getting the ball back, but Strong knocked away a half-court heave attempt from Delfosse, and Michigan survived.
Per the Fox broadcast, Michigan has never beaten a No. 1 team, but the Wolverines came pretty dang close in this one. This game proves that this U-M team can compete with any team in the country, even if they trail 20 points in the first half.
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Key individual stat lines
-Swords: 29 points, 7/13 from three, nine rebounds, three assists
Here’s a wild stat: in two games against No. 1 teams in the country (South Carolina last season and UConn tonight), Swords has posted a combined 56 points and 21 rebounds. She’s a flat-out star, who shines brightest against the best team in the sport.
-Olson: 18 points, 10 rebounds, three steals
-Mila Holloway: seven points, six assists, two blocks
-Delfosse: seven points, nine rebounds, two assists
Up Next
Michigan faces Syracuse on Sunday, Nov. 23, for the second game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase; that game tips off at Noon on FS1. Conference play starts for the Wolverines on Sunday, Dec. 7, with Michigan hosting Purdue.
