No. 12 Indiana women’s basketball took to the hardwood against Michigan inside the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, beginning its quest for its first Big Ten Tournament title since 2002.
Graduate student forward Mackenzie Holmes was ruled “questionable” ahead of tipoff alongside sophomore forward Lilly Meister. The pair suffered knee and ankle injuries in Indiana’s victory over Maryland on March 3.
In the two squads’ lone meeting of the regular season, the Hoosiers went a perfect 13-of-13 from the field in the opening quarter. However, they went just 5-of-17 from the field in the first quarter Friday while the Wolverines went 4-of-15.
With both teams’ shots not falling, Indiana led 12-9 after 10 minutes of play. Meister played three minutes in the opening frame while Holmes remained on the bench.
The Hoosiers turned it on in the second quarter, outscoring Michigan 23-12 behind a balanced scoring attack. Sophomore guard Lexus Bargesser notched a team-high 8 points in the frame while senior guards Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sydney Parrish each scored 5.
Coming out of halftime with a 35-21 lead and with Holmes yet to play, the Hoosiers looked to be in control of the contest.
But the familiar middle quarter struggle returned as it has in each of Indiana’s losses this season. The Wolverines outscored the Hoosiers 19-8 in the frame — the lowest mark for the cream and crimson in a quarter this season.
After a third quarter in which Michigan went on a 12-0 and 7-0 run, it pulled to within 3 points of Indiana behind junior guard Laila Phelia’s 10 points in the quarter.
The Hoosiers continued to struggle in the fourth quarter as the the Wolverines heated up. Trailing by 4 points with 6:28 left, Holmes entered the game for the first time. Despite having its first team All-Big Ten forward on the floor, the Hoosiers couldn’t contain Michigan.
Pehlia scored another 10 points in the final quarter while graduate student guard Lauren Hansen drained a trio of 3-pointers in the latter half of the final frame. Holmes failed to score as the Hoosiers surrendered 29 points in the fourth quarter as Michigan took control and emerged with a 69-56 victory.
Indiana now awaits the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s decision March 17 that will determine the Hoosiers’ fate in terms of hosting the first two rounds.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa), columnist Ryan Canfield (@_ryancanfield) and photographer Olivia Bianco (@theoliviabianco) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
