ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — The Michigan women’s basketball team controlled the game from start to finish in an 85-59 victory over Akron on Saturday at Crisler Center. The Wolverines built a 48-30 halftime lead and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half. Ashley Sofilkanich scored 17 points for Michigan, while Syla Swords also had 17 and Olivia Olson added 16. Mila Holloway facilitated the offense with seven assists. Shaena Brew led Akron with 13 points and five assists. Michigan’s interior presence was decisive, outscoring the Zips 50-22 in the paint and converting 26 points off turnovers. The Wolverines improved to 9-1, while Akron fell to 1-8. An announced crowd of 3,495 watched the contest.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — The Michigan women’s basketball team imposed its will from the opening tip, using a dominant first half to cruise past Akron 85-59 in a nonconference game Saturday at Crisler Center. The Wolverines (9-1) never trailed, building a 48-30 halftime lead behind efficient offense and a disruptive defense that set the tone for the afternoon. Michigan scored 23 points in the first quarter and 25 in the second, capitalizing on Akron’s early mistakes to build an insurmountable advantage. The most important part of the game was Michigan’s immediate and overwhelming defensive pressure in the first quarter, which created a decisive early lead. The Wolverines forced eight Akron turnovers in the opening period, converting them into 12 points. This defensive intensity, highlighted by steals from Mila Holloway and Syla Swords, fueled a 14-2 run that gave Michigan a 14-4 lead just over five minutes into the game. Akron never recovered from this initial burst, struggling to find any offensive rhythm against Michigan’s active hands and interior presence. Ashley Sofilkanich led a balanced Michigan attack with 17 points, all scored in the first three quarters. The 6-foot-3 sophomore from South Amboy, New Jersey, was efficient from the field, adding four rebounds and three steals in just 18 minutes of action. Syla Swords, a sophomore guard from Sudbury, Canada, also scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists. Olivia Olson contributed 16 points, while Holloway orchestrated the offense with 12 points and a game-high seven assists. Michigan’s dominance was most evident in the paint, where they outscored Akron 50-22, and in points off turnovers, holding a 26-10 advantage. The Wolverines’ defensive activity forced 22 Akron turnovers, which they consistently turned into transition opportunities. Akron (1-8) was led by guard Shaena Brew, who finished with 13 points and five assists. The junior from Rialto, California, played a team-high 30 minutes. Izzy Callaway added nine points off the bench for the Zips, who shot poorly from the field and could not match Michigan’s physicality or pace. The Zips, who have lost eight of their first nine games, kept the margin from expanding further in the second half but never threatened the outcome. They were outscored in every quarter except the fourth, which Michigan played primarily with reserves. Michigan’s Te’Yala Delfosse and Kendall Dudley provided significant contributions off the bench. Delfosse scored 10 points with four rebounds, while Dudley added five points, two blocks and anchored the interior defense during her 16 minutes. For Akron, Finnish center Liisa Taponen scored eight points, and Keiryn McGuff added seven. The attendance was 3,495 at Crisler Center. The victory extends Michigan’s strong start to the season, with their only loss coming on the road against then-No. 3 Connecticut. The Wolverines have won their last four games by an average of 38 points. Akron continues to search for consistency, having now lost four straight since its lone win over Division III Heidelberg on Dec. 3. Michigan next hosts Oakland on Dec. 21. Akron returns home to face Geneva on Tuesday.

Preview: Akron Zips at No. -- Michigan Wolverines ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Michigan women’s basketball team will look to continue its dominant start to the season when it hosts struggling Akron at Crisler Center on Saturday, Dec. 13. The Wolverines (8-1) have won seven straight games since a narrow three-point road loss to then-Connecticut on Nov. 21. Their offense has been prolific during that stretch, averaging 94.4 points per game and winning by an average margin of 42.7 points. Michigan is coming off a 104-56 demolition of Purdue last Sunday. Star guard Olivia Olson has been central to that success. The sophomore is averaging 18.4 points per game and is coming off a 26-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist performance against the Boilermakers. She has scored in double figures in every game this season. Akron (1-7) enters on a six-game losing streak against Division I opponents, with its lone win coming against Division III Heidelberg, 117-34, on Dec. 3. The Zips have struggled defensively, allowing 80.1 points per game against D-I foes. Guard Shaena Brew will be a key for the Zips. She is coming off a near triple-double against Heidelberg with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. However, her production has been inconsistent against higher-level competition. This non-conference matchup presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Michigan, receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll, is building a resume for a high NCAA Tournament seed. Akron is searching for answers and a signature win before Mid-American Conference play begins later this month. The game tips off at 2 p.m. EST Saturday at Crisler Center. Michigan will host Oakland on Dec. 21 before a Pac-12 road swing, while Akron returns home to face Geneva on Dec. 16.