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No. 9 Michigan takes Big Ten lead with win over No. 13 Maryland

Naz Hillmon
Posted at 9:39 PM, Feb 20, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-20 21:39:23-05

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Naz Hillmon had 29 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 9 Michigan take over first place in the Big Ten with a 71-59 victory over 13th-ranked Maryland on Sunday.

Laila Phelia contributed 11 points, five rebounds and six assists for the Wolverines (21-4, 12-3 Big Ten). It was the Wolverines’ second win over the Terrapins this season, also beating Maryland 69-49 on Jan. 16.

“Our kids were really locked in,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “We had a week to regroup, refocus and come out today against the top team in the country, a top team in our league, and did a tremendous job. Just proud of the way our kids played today.”

The game was tied at 24 at the half and Michigan led 40-39 late in the third quarter before scoring five of the final seven points of the period on a three-point play by Emily Kiser and two free throws by Phelia to go up four.

Maryland (20-7, 12-4) got within two early in the fourth before Hillmon’s three-point play started a 10-0 run that put the game away. Maddie Nolan’s layup capped the burst with 6:37 left and made it 55-43. The Terrapins could only get within five the rest of the way.

“It was an extremely physical game, but I thought it was a tough shooting night for us,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “You saw that with our shots not falling, missing point-blank layups and free throws — things that we typically are very good at.”

Chloe Bibby led the Terrapins with 15 points.

UP NEXT:

Maryland: Hosts No. 5 Indiana on Friday.

Michigan: Hosts Michigan State on Thursday.