The Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball team is headed to the Elite 8 for the second time in program history. Things looked a little dim for the Wolverines, down by as many as 11 points early in the first half. Michigan started the game down 8-0 missing layup, turning the ball over 5 times, and was out-rebounded in the first quarter. Louisville’s Elif Istanbulluoglu scored 18 points and 7 rebounds, helping the Cardinals gain the early lead, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Cardinals rolling in this game. The Wolverines got back to playing their brand of basketball, pressing, trapping, forcing the Cardinals’ ball handlers into turnovers, and holding them to one shot by out-rebounding them on the defensive boards 29-19. The Cardinals this season averaged 14 to 15 turnovers, and had 18 turnovers in the game. Michigan’s Te’Yala Delfoss hustle plays to go along with scoring 8 points and 4 rebounds in the first half, which was the spark they needed to get things rolling. Te’Yala Delfoss led the team with 8 defensive rebounds, scored 10 points, and added 2 blocks. Delfoss defensive presence was a key to the Wolverines securing a five-point lead at the half, with the score being 32-27. For the game, the Wolverines out-rebounded the Cardinals, 42-32.
The Wolverines begin to get into a shooting rhythm going on a 18-2 scoring run to extend their lead at the end of the third quarter by 17 points. The Cardinals found themselves down 57-40 hoping to find a way to cut into the Wolverines lead fell short due to the Wolverines continued defensive pressure that stopped them from getting easy baskets in the paint as they had done early in the game. The Cardinals inability to make baskets from behind the three point line, shooting 3-14, allowed the Wolverines to use their pack the paint defense to prevent them from second shot opportunities.
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The Wolverines had two other players that scored in double digits Syla Swords score 16 points, and Olivia Olson scored 19 points. Michigan didn’t have a good game shooting from behind the three point line, made 4-13 with Olson making 1-4 and Swords 2-6. On the offensive end of the court, the Cardinals out rebounded the Wolverines14-13. The Wolverines offensive leading rebounder was Brooke Brianna Quarels with 7 for the game.
This will be the Wolverines’ second time heading to the Elite 8 since 2022. The Wolverines were wearing their #11 baseball/basketball jersey’s are out in a tribute to Coach Arico late brother, a standout athlete, who was in an accident in 2005 and passed away in 2019. The Wolverines have two more games to win to make it to the NCAA Championship game. The Wolverines await to see who their next opponent will be in the Elite 8.