Michigan Women Outlast No. 13 Michigan State in OT Thriller, Complete Rivalry Weekend Sweep in East Lansing
The Wolverines didn’t just win a basketball game on Sunday - they made a statement. In a back-and-forth battle that lived up to every bit of the rivalry hype, Michigan women’s basketball took down No.
13 Michigan State, 94-91 in overtime, inside a raucous Breslin Center. With the win, Michigan not only completed a weekend sweep following the men’s victory on Friday, but also kept pace at the top of the Big Ten standings.
This was the first-ever top-15 matchup between the two women’s programs, and it delivered in every sense. Michigan improved to 19-3 overall and 10-1 in conference play, extending its Big Ten win streak to eight games. It also handed Michigan State its first home loss of the season - and did it in the kind of fashion that builds championship-caliber confidence.
A Rivalry Game That Refused to Quit
The game never strayed far from single-digit margins, and neither team gave an inch without a fight. Michigan had a chance to close it out in regulation, but MSU guard Kennedy Blair hit a tough, contested runner off the glass with just over five seconds left to tie the game at 83.
Michigan had one last look, but a turnover on the inbounds pass gave the Spartans a shot at a miracle. Ines Sotelo nearly delivered - her half-court heave spun around the rim and out as the buzzer sounded, sending the game to overtime.
That’s when Olivia Olson took over.
The freshman forward opened the extra period with a transition and-one, then drilled a clutch three to give Michigan a six-point cushion. On the next possession, Olson found Syla Swords for a layup, pushing the lead to eight - a key sequence that helped Michigan seize control in a game that had been anything but predictable.
Olson, Holloway Shine Bright
Olson finished with 23 points, but her impact in overtime was about more than just the box score. She made winning plays - the kind that don’t always show up on stat sheets but shift the momentum in a hostile environment. Even after fouling out with 1:40 remaining, her fingerprints were all over Michigan’s composure down the stretch.
And then there was Mila Holloway. The sophomore point guard didn’t score in overtime, but make no mistake - she was brilliant.
Holloway poured in a career-high 26 points on an efficient 11-for-16 shooting night, constantly attacking MSU’s defense with fearless drives. She hit a big three in the fourth and kept the Wolverines steady whenever the Spartans made a push.
Add in six rebounds and five assists, and it was the kind of all-around performance that shows just how much she’s grown in her role.
Syla Swords added 15 points and came up clutch on both ends, including a late steal in overtime that helped seal the deal. Ashley Sofilkanich chipped in 10, giving Michigan four players in double figures.
Defense When It Mattered Most
While the Wolverines had to survive some shaky free throw shooting late - an area that’s been a concern all season - their defense in overtime was what ultimately made the difference. Michigan State managed just two made field goals in the extra five minutes, finishing 2-for-8 from the floor. That’s how you close out a rivalry game on the road.
Even after Olson fouled out, the Wolverines didn’t flinch. Swords’ steal in the final minute turned the game into a free-throw contest, and while Michigan didn’t shoot the lights out at the line, they hit just enough.
Brooke Q. Daniels and Te’Yala Delfosse each knocked down key freebies to keep the Spartans at bay.
Spartans Battle, But Fall Short
To their credit, Michigan State didn’t go down quietly in front of a crowd of more than 11,600. Blair and Jalyn Brown each scored 21 points and kept the Spartans in it with timely buckets and tough defense. But when it came time to make the game-winning plays, it was Michigan who rose to the occasion.
A Weekend to Remember in Ann Arbor
This win capped off a dream weekend for Michigan basketball at the Breslin Center. On Friday, the men’s team snapped a losing streak with a ranked win over Michigan State in the most high-profile matchup in the rivalry’s history. On Sunday, the women followed suit with a top-15 victory of their own - one that could carry major implications in the Big Ten title race.
Next up, the Wolverines return home to face Nebraska at Crisler Center on Wednesday. But for now, they’ll savor a rivalry win that checked every box: grit, execution, and poise when it mattered most.