Michigan Women Dominate Indiana Behind Olson’s Season-High, Relentless Defense
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines rolled into Assembly Hall on Thursday night and left with more than just a win - they made a statement.
Led by Olivia Olson’s season-best 27 points and a strong 17-point contribution from Mila Holloway, Michigan overwhelmed Indiana 95-67, snapping a nearly 12-year drought in Bloomington. The Wolverines (18-3, 9-1 Big Ten) have now won seven of their last eight, including three straight since their lone conference loss, and they’re starting to look like a team hitting its stride at exactly the right time.
This one wasn’t close - and it wasn’t meant to be. From the opening tip, Michigan came out with energy and execution.
A 12-3 run to start the game set the tone, and an 8-0 burst midway through the second quarter stretched the lead to 40-20. Even when Indiana showed signs of life late in the first half, trimming the deficit to 11, Michigan responded with a five-point flurry to close the half up 49-31.
After that, the Hoosiers never got within 14.
The Wolverines were locked in on both ends. They shot a crisp 51.5% from the floor and dominated the glass, outrebounding Indiana 37-25.
But it was the defense that truly flipped the game. Michigan’s pressure forced 23 Indiana turnovers - and they turned those into 34 points.
That’s the kind of two-way efficiency that wins games deep into March.
Syla Swords was the engine defensively, racking up a career-high five steals and constantly disrupting Indiana’s rhythm. The Wolverines turned defense into offense, and once they got rolling, there was no slowing them down.
For Indiana (11-11, 0-10 Big Ten), it was another rough outing in a season that’s quickly slipping away. The Hoosiers have now dropped nine straight and went winless in January. Maya Makalusky led the team with 17 points, while Shay Ciezki - who entered the night as the Big Ten’s leading scorer at 23.6 points per game - was limited to just 13 before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.
This was Michigan’s first win in Bloomington since February 2014, and it came with authority. With the defense clicking, the offense flowing, and Olson playing at an elite level, the Wolverines are looking every bit like a team ready to contend in the Big Ten and beyond.
Spartans Surge Past Purdue Behind Balanced Attack, Stifling Defense
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 13 Michigan State put together one of its most complete performances of the season Thursday night, cruising to an 86-65 win over Purdue in a game that was never really in doubt.
Grace VanSlooten led the way with 17 points, but it was Kennedy Blair who stuffed the stat sheet - 15 points, eight boards, seven assists and five steals - and set the tone with her energy on both ends. The Spartans (19-2, 8-2 Big Ten) built a 27-12 lead late in the first quarter with a 12-0 run and never looked back.
Purdue simply couldn’t find any rhythm. The Boilermakers were held to just eight points in the second quarter, shooting 2-of-16 from the floor, as Michigan State stretched its lead to 50-23 by halftime. The Spartans’ defense swarmed, their ball movement was crisp, and their shot-making was timely - a formula that’s been working all season.
VanSlooten added eight more points in the third quarter, and the lead never dipped below 20 in the second half. It was the highest-scoring Big Ten game of the season for Michigan State, and they did it with depth. Inés Sotelo chipped in 12 points, and Jalyn Brown added 11.
It was a tougher night for former Purdue standout Rashunda Jones, who returned to West Lafayette after transferring to Michigan State. She finished with just five points on 2-of-12 shooting - but her teammates more than picked up the slack.
For Purdue (11-10, 3-7), Avery Gordon was a bright spot, going 9-for-11 from the field for a team-high 20 points. Madison Layden-Zay knocked down six threes en route to 18 points, and Hila Karsh added 10. But the Boilermakers couldn’t match Michigan State’s pace or precision, especially after falling into an early hole.
The Spartans have now won five of their last six against Purdue - including five straight at Mackey Arena - and they’re looking every bit the part of a Big Ten contender.
Cooper Flagg Makes NBA History in Duel with Former Roommate
DALLAS - On a night when the Dallas Mavericks honored one of their all-time greats, a 19-year-old rookie stole the show - and the record books.
Cooper Flagg dropped 49 points, setting a new NBA record for most points scored by a teenager. He also broke the Mavericks’ rookie scoring record - one he previously shared with Mark Aguirre, whose jersey was retired at halftime. The moment was rich with symbolism, and Flagg rose to it.
“Mark Aguirre is special. Such a special night for him and the whole organization,” Flagg said.
“I just feel blessed. It’s a pretty cool thing.”
Flagg’s 49 came in a 123-121 loss to Charlotte, but the rookie’s performance was nothing short of electric. After a slow start - just 1-of-4 in the first quarter - Flagg exploded in the second, hitting 8-of-9 from the field, including two threes, and going a perfect 5-for-5 at the line. His 23 points in the quarter and 25 by halftime were both season highs for a Dallas player.
And as if the night needed more narrative juice, Flagg’s breakout came against Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel - his former Duke roommate and close friend. Knueppel, the No. 4 pick in last summer’s draft, had a career night of his own, scoring 34 points and drilling eight threes to set a franchise rookie record. He also hit the game-winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left after drawing a foul from Flagg at the rim.
“Cooper, he played like the best player we’ve played all season,” Knueppel said. “He had a heck of a game, he’s a heck of a player, and he’s going to have a heck of a career.”
The respect between the two was obvious. Flagg called Knueppel his “brother for life.”
The previous teenage scoring record belonged to Cliff Robinson, who put up 45 points for New Jersey in 1980. Flagg’s previous high - 42 points - also came in a loss, back in December against Utah.
In fact, Aguirre’s record-setting game in 1981 was also a loss. Sometimes, history doesn’t wait for the scoreboard.
Flagg’s performance was a reminder of just how special he is - and how bright his future looks. As Mavericks coach Jason Kidd put it: “We saw history at halftime, and we got to see a young man play the game at a very high level.”
Local Hoops Roundup
Men’s Results - Thursday
- Phoenix 114, Pistons 96
- Purdue Northwest 73, Wayne State 60
- Saginaw Valley State 85, Parkside 77
- Davenport 72, Michigan Tech 69
Upcoming - Friday
- Pistons at Golden State, 10 p.m.
- Michigan at Michigan State, 8 p.m.
- Northern Kentucky at Detroit Mercy, 7 p.m.
Saturday
- Motor City Cruise at Cleveland, 7 p.m.
- Bowling Green at Central Michigan, TBA
- Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts, 6 p.m.
- Northern Michigan at Davenport, 3 p.m.
- Michigan Tech at Grand Valley State, 3 p.m.
- Roosevelt at Saginaw Valley State, 3 p.m.
- Wayne State at Ferris State, 3 p.m.
Women’s Results - Thursday
- Michigan State 86, Purdue 65
- Michigan 95, Indiana 67
Upcoming - Saturday
- Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
- Central Michigan at Northern Illinois, 3 p.m.
- Youngstown State at Oakland, 2 p.m.
- Michigan Tech at Grand Valley State, 1 p.m.
- Northern Michigan at Davenport, 1 p.m.
- Roosevelt at Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m.
- Wayne State at Ferris State, 1 p.m.