Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan and Michigan State delivered another rivalry classic on Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center, where No. 9 Michigan edged No. 13 Michigan State 94–91 in an overtime thriller. The game was tightly contested from the start, with Michigan holding a narrow 25–22 lead after the first quarter before MSU steadied itself to take a 42–41 advantage at halftime. Both teams shot exceptionally well , Michigan finished at 57% from the field, while the Spartans countered at 51%, setting the tone for a fast‑paced, high‑execution matchup worthy of the rivalry’s tradition.
The second half featured one momentum swing after another. Michigan sophomore guard Mila Holloway led all scorers with 26 points on an efficient 11‑for‑16 shooting night, while sophomore guard Olivia Olson repeatedly delivered in key moments, including a series of late jumpers that kept the Wolverines within striking range. For MSU, sophomore guard Kennedy Blair powered the offense with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and senior guard Jalyn Brown added crucial buckets that helped the Spartans stay neck‑and‑neck through three quarters, which ended tied at 65–65. By the end of regulation, Michigan had leaned heavily on its perimeter shooting , finishing with nine made 3‑pointers, to push the game into overtime.
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(CONTINUED) Overtime began with Michigan ripping off a decisive 10–0 run, a sequence that ultimately shaped the outcome. Olson and sophomore guard Syla Swords combined for multiple daggers, including a 3‑pointer from Olson and a strong finish inside by Swords that forced MSU into chase mode. The Spartans still nearly forced a dramatic finish, sophomore forward Inés Sotelo had a potential game‑tying heave in the final moments that hit the rim , but they couldn’t fully erase the early overtime deficit. The Wolverines’ ability to capitalize in transition and off turnovers (scoring 21 points off MSU’s 20 giveaways) proved critical.
Despite the loss, Michigan State showed resilience that affirmed its top‑15 status. Blair’s double‑double and junior guard Rashunda Jones’steady playmaking (six assists) kept the Spartans competitive even as Michigan controlled the tempo late. MSU drops to 19–3 and 8–3 but remains firmly in the league race with big opportunities ahead, including another ranked matchup later this week. The duel wasn’t just another rivalry game, it was one of the season’s most entertaining showcases of Big Ten women’s basketball.
