In a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 matchup, Michigan switched the narrative and upset No. 5 Baylor 74-68 in overtime during Sunday’s Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. The win was was the Wolverines’ first against a top-five team in program history.
WHAT A WIN! @umichwbball knocks off No. 5-ranked Baylor in OT for the Wolverines’ first win in program history over a top-5 opponent. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/zrKgjuLFta— Michigan Athletics 〽️ (@UMichAthletics) December 19, 2021
WHAT A WIN! @umichwbball knocks off No. 5-ranked Baylor in OT for the Wolverines’ first win in program history over a top-5 opponent. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/zrKgjuLFta
Leigha Brown led the way for the Wolverines, scoring 25 points on 11-for-13 shooting and adding five rebounds and four assists. She factored in heavily during overtime, scoring the basket that put Michigan ahead for good with 3:24 left in the game.
With 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter, standout senior Naz Hillmon fouled out, but not before contributing 15 points and 10 rebounds and battling with Baylor senior and fellow All-American NaLyssa Smith. Hillmon was 6-of-19 shooting from the field, while Smith went 8-of-15 and led the way for the Bears with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Jordan Lewis added 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Bears, including seven-straight points in the third quarter to bring the Bears within two.
Second chance points proved to be a difference-maker, as Michigan scored 29 points to Baylor’s three.
Michigan is back in action on Wednesday against Eastern Michigan. Baylor heads into the holiday break and returns to face Houston Baptist on Dec. 29