Misfiring Michigan wilts under Texas defense's pressure in 77-41 Elite Eight loss
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Syla Swords drove for a layup that Texas center Kyla Oldacre easily stuffed, and the Michigan sophomore grabbed the loose ball, only for one of her teammates to miss from in close. The Wolverines were down 37 points during that futile fourth-quarter sequence, and ended up with the worst shooting percentage in the women's Elite Eight in a 77-41 loss to the Longhorns on Monday night. Michigan never gave itself much of a chance in its second trip to the regional semifinals in March Madness , or maybe the vaunted Texas defense never gave Swords and fellow second-year star Olivia Olson much of a chance.
Michigan was a tick above the worst shooting game in the Elite Eight when Olson missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds, dropping the Wolverines to 22. 8%. The Longhorns had the previous low of 23.
0% while chasing a Final Four berth five years ago in a 62-34 loss to South Carolina. “Looking at the field goal percentages here, it’s hard to win games with the shots we were putting up, but we were getting really good looks at the rim and looks we normally make,” said Swords, who combined with Olson and No. 3 scorer Mila Holloway to go just 9 of 42 from the field (21.
4%). “That’s a credit to the defense. It’s a credit to their length and physicality,” said Swords, who scored eight points while Olson and Holloway led Michigan with 11 apiece.
“We can’t just say we had an off day. I would say definitely they altered our shots, but we got to our spots and just couldn’t finish them. ” A season low in points for the Wolverines was 42 1/2 shy of a season average that ranked ninth nationally.