Michigan inches closer to breakthrough win, but falls short against No. 2 UCLA

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Sunday afternoon was deja vu for the No. 8 Michigan women’s basketball team. Having lost in two other top-10 matchups against No. 1 UConn and No. 7 Vanderbilt by three points — coincidentally both 72-69 — the Wolverines again were taken down by a top-10 foe in No. 2 UCLA at home.

At first glance, the eerie pattern for Michigan doesn’t appear to be one leading to growth. But the Wolverines are confident that playing in NCAA Tournament-type games — especially with a predominantly sophomore rotation — will only add to their experience and prepare them for different situations in the rest of the regular season and postseason.

This Past Week

Wednesday evening was a dog fight between the Wolverines and Nebraska. The game included 21 lead changes and nine ties, with the halftime score only putting the Cornhuskers up by two points.

Both teams forced the other into many turnovers, Michigan through its full-court press and Nebraska through its unrecognizable zone defense. But once both teams started figuring each other out, it became a matter of which team could shoot better.

And in the second half, the Wolverines separated themselves by hitting twice as many 3-pointers and outshot the Cornhuskers from the floor, 54% to 40%. Michigan also turned the ball over less, with just four of its 16 turnovers coming in the second half. Although Nebraska has struggled in Big Ten play, the Wolverines earned a crucial win over an opponent that was ranked just two weeks prior — setting up a game for first place on Sunday.

For just the second time all season, the Bruins found themselves down at the end of the first quarter with Michigan boasting a 17-13 lead. UCLA started on an atrocious 2-for-10 shooting before finally hitting a groove in the second quarter to earn a 33-30 halftime lead.

“I think we’re getting better, I think we’re growing,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “I think we’ve had those other two experiences, plus being at home certainly helped. The environment was incredible. … Prior to today, we were undefeated at home. So we always talk about protecting the block m.”