Big Ten women's basketball tournament Day 2: Double-digit seeds Nebraska, Iowa advance
The top four seeds are in action Friday in quarterfinal action
What happened on Day 2 of the Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse:
INDIANA 78, OREGON 62
NUMBER OF THE GAME: 20
Points scored by the Hoosiers off 18 turnovers. That’s a high number for the Ducks, who averaged 13.1 turnovers this season. Only twice did Oregon commit more than 18 turnovers (Auburn and Michigan State). The Ducks gave away too many possessions, and Indiana capitalized. The Hoosiers hit three of their 11 3-pointers following a turnover and took advantage of the mistakes, and wouldn’t let Oregon come up for air. Shay Ciezki and Yarden Garzon combined to hit seven 3-pointers. The duo totaled 35 points, with Garzon scoring 18.
WHAT’S NEXT: IU faces top-seeded USC in Friday’s first quarterfinal. The Women of Troy outlasted the Hoosiers 73-66 during the regular-season meeting in Bloomington.
BIG PICTURE: Indiana was hovering around the bubble heading into the conference tournament but is squarely in the field. Oregon was also near the bubble, but the overall body of work will be enough to earn an at-large selection.
MICHIGAN 66, WASHINGTON 58
NUMBER OF THE GAME: 9
Points scored by Olivia Olson during a 13-0 third-quarter run to help the Wolverines overcome a three-point deficit and a nearly six-minute scoring drought in the first half. Olson, one of the top freshmen in the nation, scored four baskets in that stretch in the paint as Michigan totaled 36 inside. Olson had 21 points and six rebounds, and classmate Syla Swords totaled 15 points for the Wolverines, who converted 14 of 24 field goals in the second half.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Wolverines advance to play Maryland in Friday’s second quarterfinal. The Terrapins won the regular-season matchup 85-77.
BIG PICTURE: The win over Minnesota on Wednesday helped cement an NCAA tournament bid for the Huskies, and Thursday’s loss doesn’t take anything away. Michigan is safely in but could move up with a victory over Maryland.
NEBRASKA 74, ILLINOIS 70
NUMBER OF THE GAME: 22-10
From the opening tip, the Fighting Illini were in control. They led by nine with four minutes expired, and even though the Huskers battled back to take a brief lead, Illinois had the opportunity to close out the game but didn’t. The Illini led by seven at the end of the third quarter, but Nebraska outscored coach Shauna Greene’s team by 12 points in the last seven minutes. Jessica Petrie scored nine of her 11 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:40 to play. Freshman Britt Prince had six of her 17 points in the final quarter. From the Illini’s standpoint, Kendall Bostic scored her 19th point with 8:07 left in the third quarter, giving her team a 37-33 lead. She attempted three field goals the rest of the way and didn’t score.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Huskers were the first lower seed to advance to the quarterfinals and now face USC. They lost by 20 during the regular season.
BIG PICTURE: Nebraska could receive a small bump in its seeding for the NCAA tournament, but the Huskers are riding the momentum. Illinois is short-handed due to injuries but has plenty of time to rest before the postseason starts.
IOWA 74, MICHIGAN STATE 61
NUMBER OF THE GAME: 28
Points off turnovers for the Hawkeyes, who did what the Spartans have done to opponents all season. Michigan State has thrived in forcing more turnovers than it commits, but it went the opposite direction on Thursday. The Spartans had 24 turnovers, seven more than Iowa, which was the difference. The Hawkeyes scored 12 of their 20 points in the second quarter after turnovers, helping them build a seven-point halftime advantage. Iowa fell behind early, in part, because it didn’t capitalize on MSU’s seven turnovers in the first quarter. The Hawkeyes scored three points off mistakes and finished 1 of 9 shooting after turnovers. Lucy Olsen scored 21 points, but her four steals sparked the opportunistic defense. Same for Hannah Stuelke, who totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds and collected four steals. Six players had at least one steal.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Hawkeye advance to play Ohio State, which won the regular-season meeting in overtime in Columbus.
BIG PICTURE: Both teams are headed to the NCAA tournament, and Iowa is making a case to improve its seeding. A win over the Buckeyes would provide an additional boost. The Spartans were trying to avoid an 8/9 game but the loss probably keeps them in that position or possibly lower.
FRIDAY
No. 1 USC vs. No. 9 Indiana, noon (BTN)
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 5 Michigan, 25 minutes after USC-IU (BTN)
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 10 Nebraska, 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Iowa, 25 minutes after UCLA-Nebraska (BTN)