STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — Michigan overwhelmed Penn State 105-65 in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Thursday night at Bryce Jordan Center. The Wolverines (13-2) seized control with a 58-point first half, leading 58-31 at halftime behind efficient shooting and forced 24 turnovers. Mila Holloway scored 18 points and Te’Yala Delfosse added 17 for Michigan, which shot 45.9% from the field and made 12 3-pointers. Gracie Merkle led the Lady Lions (7-9) with 18 points. Michigan’s defense held Penn State to a 34.2% shooting performance in the first half and scored 30 points off turnovers. An announced crowd of 1,468 watched the Wolverines win their second straight conference game.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — In a display of overwhelming defensive pressure and offensive efficiency, the Michigan women’s basketball team delivered a commanding 105-65 victory over Penn State in a Big Ten Conference matchup Thursday night at Bryce Jordan Center. The Wolverines, now 13-2 overall, set the tone from the opening tip, forcing the Lady Lions into a staggering 24 turnovers while committing only nine themselves. Michigan converted those miscues into 30 points, establishing a pace Penn State, which fell to 7-9, could never disrupt. The game’s decisive stretch came almost immediately. After a slow start for both teams, Michigan guard Mila Holloway of Charlotte, North Carolina, connected on a 3-pointer less than 90 seconds into the contest. That basket ignited a 14-0 run over the next four minutes, a surge fueled entirely by Penn State turnovers and defensive stops. The Lady Lions committed six turnovers in the game’s first five minutes, managing just a single layup from Tea Cleante during that span as Michigan built a 14-2 lead. Penn State never recovered. The Wolverines’ defensive intensity never relented, amassing 12 steals and consistently disrupting passing lanes. Michigan’s offensive rating of 126.1 points per 100 possessions underscored an exceptionally efficient night, while Penn State managed just 84.8. The Wolverines led 25-11 after the first quarter and exploded for 33 points in the second to take a 58-31 advantage into halftime. The lead ballooned to as many as 45 points in the second half as Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico was able to utilize her bench extensively. Holloway led a balanced Michigan attack with 18 points in just 24 minutes. Te’Yala Delfosse of Ewing, New Jersey, added 17 points, while Olivia Olson of New Hope, Minnesota, contributed 13 points, six assists and a block. McKenzie Mathurin of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, and starting guard Brooke Q Daniels of Macomb, Michigan, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, three assists, a block and relentless defensive activity. Penn State was led by center Gracie Merkle of Mount Washington, Kentucky, who scored 18 points. Guard Kiyomi McMiller finished with 15 points and seven assists but was also plagued by eight turnovers against the Michigan pressure. Nyla McFadden of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, added 10 points off the bench. Michigan shot 45.9% from the field and a sharp 44.4% from 3-point range, making 12 of 27 attempts. The Wolverines also capitalized at the free-throw line, hitting 25 of 30. Penn State shot 44.6% overall but was just 5 of 19 from beyond the arc. The Wolverines also dominated the assist column, 12-5, highlighting their superior ball movement. A crowd of 1,468 watched as Michigan continued its strong start to conference play, while Penn State searches for answers after a third consecutive loss. The most important part of the game was unquestionably the opening five minutes of the first quarter. Michigan’s immediate and suffocating defensive pressure caused chaos for Penn State, resulting in six early turnovers that fueled a 14-2 run. This blitz established not only a significant early lead but also the game’s entire tenor, demonstrating Michigan’s clear superiority and breaking Penn State’s spirit before the contest was truly underway. Michigan next hosts Wisconsin on Sunday. Penn State will also be at home Sunday against Illinois.

Preview: No. Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Lady Lions STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — The surging Michigan women’s basketball team, riding a five-game winning streak, visits a struggling Penn State squad seeking a signature conference victory when the teams meet in a Big Ten matchup Thursday night at Bryce Jordan Center. The Wolverines (12-2, 2-0 Big Ten) have been dominant since a narrow road loss to then-Connecticut in November, averaging 88.2 points during their current streak. They are coming off a 70-60 home victory over Minnesota on Monday, led by 21 points from Olivia Olson. Michigan’s engine is sophomore guard Syla Swords, a consistent scoring threat who has averaged 16 points over her last five games. She logged 38 minutes and 12 points in the win over Minnesota. Penn State (7-8, 0-2) has lost four straight, including a heartbreaking 74-73 defeat at Wisconsin on Sunday. Despite the team’s struggles, freshman guard Kiyomi McMiller has been a standout, erupting for a career-high 36 points against the Badgers. She averages 19.3 points per game, providing nearly a third of the Lady Lions’ offense. The matchup pits Michigan’s balanced and efficient attack against a Penn State team heavily reliant on McMiller. The Wolverines have six wins by 30 or more points this season and lead the nation in field goal percentage at 54.3%. Penn State’s defense, allowing 77.9 points per game, will be severely tested. Michigan has won the last three meetings in the series. Penn State’s last victory came in January 2023. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Up next: Michigan hosts Wisconsin on Sunday. Penn State hosts Illinois on Sunday.