Defense helps No. 2 Indiana women down No. 12 Michigan 68-52

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Mackenzie Holmes scored 27 factors and No. 2 Indiana compelled 21 turnovers to beat No. 12 Michigan 68-52 on Thursday evening for its ninth victory over a ranked staff this season.

Indiana (25-1, 15-1 Huge Ten) went scoreless for the primary six minutes of the fourth quarter, however an 11-0 run by Michigan solely reduce the deficit to 13 and the Hoosiers then comfortably closed out the sport.

“I hope it seems like we’re having enjoyable on the market as a result of I positively am,” Holmes mentioned.

Indiana set a program report for wins and moved inside one among its first Huge Ten regular-season title since 1983.

“From the start, this group has had lofty objectives,” coach Teri Moren mentioned. “We perceive that with a purpose to obtain the objectives that we wish, we’ve bought to win a whole lot of video games.”

Emily Kiser led the Wolverines (20-6, 10-5) with 12 factors, whereas Jordan Hobbs and Leigha Brown every added 9.

Chloe Moore-McNeil had 13 factors for Indiana, together with 4 3-pointers.

“All of us consider in Chloe,” Moren mentioned. “She’s such an important story, and I’ve continued to speak nearly her persistence and ready for her second, ready for her time to be a starter. Alongside the best way, she’s continued to maintain her head down and do the work.”

Indiana’s protection held Michigan to 40% taking pictures from the sphere, together with 3 for 12 from 3-point vary, and created 24 factors off Wolverines turnovers.

“I’ve seen some nice groups all 12 months lengthy, however I believe they’ll win a nationwide championship,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico mentioned. “I believe we’re an important staff, they usually uncovered us tonight.”

Indiana used a number of double-digit runs to construct a 14-point halftime lead, together with a 12-0 spurt to begin the second quarter. After the Wolverines shaved the deficit to 3, Grace Berger scored six factors to assist the Hoosiers lengthen their benefit to 34-19.

The Hoosiers ended the half with 4 straight factors on free throws as frustrations boiled over for the Wolverines. Maddie Nolan was known as for a technical foul following a fast-break layup and blew kisses to a jeering Indiana crowd.

One other Michigan foul within the final second of the interval let Indiana lengthen its lead additional.

The Wolverines had been known as for 11 fouls to 6 for the Hoosiers within the first half, and had been whistled for seven in comparison with 13 for Indiana within the second half.

“The swing of calls that we didn’t get within the first half in comparison with those we did get within the second half actually clearly helped us out,” Barnes Arico mentioned. “Had been we extra aggressive? No, I believe we most likely performed the identical.”

BIG PICTURE

Michigan: The Wolverines dropped right into a tie with Ohio State for fourth place within the Huge Ten, including further weight to their upcoming matchup.

Indiana: The Hoosiers can clinch a share of the Huge Ten title with a win over Purdue on Sunday.

BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL

Michigan’s workers and gamers wore Michigan State shirts with inexperienced hearts on them after the taking pictures that occurred in East Lansing this week.

“What occurred near residence was actually crushing this week,” Barnes Arico mentioned. “Being a coach and being a mother … it hits near residence. I can’t think about what the Michigan State household is feeling proper now.”

TIP-INS

Holmes blocked 5 photographs, shifting into second place in program historical past with 198. … Berger bought her 534th profession help, shifting into second in Indiana historical past behind Tyra Buss.

UP NEXT

Michigan: Returns residence to Ann Arbor to play rival No. 13 Ohio State on Monday.

Indiana: Hosts in-state rival Purdue in its penultimate recreation of the common season.

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Extra AP ladies’s school basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25