The stage was set for a memorable matchup. Two in-state rivals were looking to follow up a 94-91 overtime battle earlier in the season in just the second top 15 meeting between the programs. After the opening quarter, it appeared the rematch between No. 7 Michigan (21-4, 12-2 Big Ten) and No. 13 Michigan State (20-5, 9-5 Big Ten) would follow suit, shaping up as another back-and-forth duel.
That narrative flipped quickly.
A dominant second quarter fueled a Michigan blowout, as MSU fell 86-65 — its second straight loss by 20 points.
“We did a good job defensively. We got stops, and then I thought our ball movement was good, we felt like we could move the ball and attack them off multiple sides,” MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said regarding the first quarter. “Then second quarter, it was wild.”
The Spartans took control early, leading by as many as eight in the first quarter as Michigan struggled to find its rhythm. The Wolverines shot just 30% from the field on 20 attempts and failed to make a 3-pointer, while MSU caught fire, shooting as high as 70% during the period.
Even with the score sitting at 21-15 after the first 10 minutes, Michigan’s problems extended beyond shooting. Starting sophomore guard Mia Holloway picked up her second foul late in the quarter, while Spartan sophomore forward Inés Sotelo also ended the frame with two fouls.
MSU’s offensive success, that at times seemed effortless, disappeared entirely in the second quarter.
Simply put, the offense never settled. A barrage of turnovers disrupted the Spartans’ flow and swung momentum decisively in Michigan’s favor. The Wolverines outscored MSU 26-9 in a dominant 10-minute stretch defined by a 12-0 run after Holloway returned from the bench.
Holloway scored eight of the 12 points during the run, including a 3-pointer that gave Michigan its first lead halfway through the quarter.
While Holloway’s surge played a role, turnovers were the true catalyst behind Michigan’s second-quarter takeover. MSU committed 12 turnovers in the period — unfamiliar territory for a team averaging just 15 turnovers per game this season.
