Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament / Sessions 2+3

Day 2 of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament is in the books. Let me take you through games 3, 4, 5 + 6.

The day got started with a matinee between (9) Illinois and (8) Maryland in which the Terrapins won 75-65. Illinois was led by Makira Cook who had 17 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.

The Fighting Illini are eligible to make the WNIT at (15-15, 9-11).

Bri McDaniel had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Maryland in route to the victory.

“Just being extra aggressive,” McDaniel said on her thought process going into this game.

Now, Maryland (18-12, 10-9) has a quick turnaround to play the top dog in the conference in (1) Ohio State (25-4, 16-2).

“From us as coaches, we’ll meet and talk about our game plan and then watch film the rest of the night,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said.

That game will be played at 11:30 AM CT.

Then it was off to the back half of session 2 where (12) Purdue lost to (5) Nebraska by a score of 64-56.

Purdue finishes the season (13-18, 6-14). However, the Boilermakers might have something in true freshman Sophie Swanson who had 25 points including 7 threes.

Nebraska (20-10, 12-7) is the first team that played in this tournament that is a lock for March Madness. Yet, seeding is still up for grabs and a Big Ten Tournament win can’t hurt the résumé.

Jaz Shelley paced the Cornhuskers with 19 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds.

“I’m just really proud of our team for surviving and advancing, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to continue to play tomorrow in the quarters,” Nebraska head coach Amy Williams said.

Nebraska will face (4) Michigan State roughly 25 minutes after the conclusion of Maryland / Ohio State.

(7) Penn State needed a win for their March Madness hopes, and they did it in dominating fashion. The Lady Lions defeated (10) Wisconsin by a score of 80-56.

Penn State (19-11, 10-9) was in control for this entire game. In fact, they never trailed and led for 38:53. 4 Lady Lions scored in double figures (Owusu, Kapinus, Marisa, and Lavelle). A keynote is that not one Lady Lion played more than 26 minutes.

“We’ve been talking about our depth and our versatility. When you’re playing in March, that gives you such an advantage,” Penn State head coach Carolyn Kieger said.

Now, it’s on to (2) Iowa (26-4, 15-3) and facing the all-time NCAA points scorer Caitlin Clark. The game is set for 5:30 PM CT.

The nightcap of this four-game slate was (11) Minnesota and (6) Michigan.

The Wolverines (19-12, 10-9) were on the bubble coming into this game and most likely cemented their spot in the field of 68 defeating the Golden Gophers (16-15, 6-14) 76-57.

Laila Phelia led the charge for Michigan as she had 23 points.

“I thought Laila Phelia was awesome,” Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico said.

For Minnesota, with the Target Center crowd behind them couldn’t get it done but the future is bright.

“I’m hopeful that we have a chance to keep playing in the postseason. I think these young ladies have earned that,” Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit said about her hopes when it comes to the WNIT.

Amaya Battle was excellent again tonight, registering back-to-back 20-point games on back-to-back nights.

However, Michigan will live another day and play (3) Indiana (24-4, 15-3) 25 minutes following the conclusion of Penn State / Iowa.