Michigan women’s basketball beats Michigan State 91-85 in OT thriller

No. 9 Michigan women’s basketball stunned No. 13 Michigan State with a 91-85 overtime victory earlier today at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The thrilling matchup marked Michigan’s first win in this arena since January 2018, breaking a three-game losing streak in the rivalry.

Holloway Dominates in Historic Rivalry Victory

Mila Holloway powered Michigan’s seventh-seeded offense with 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 2 three-pointers. The dynamic guard also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 5 assists in the decisive contest. Holloway’s precise ball movement and clutch perimeter shooting kept the Wolverines competitive throughout the overtime period.

Olivia Olson, the standout sophomore, contributed 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-7 from three. Her defensive intensity proved crucial in limiting Michigan State’s fast-paced offense. Ashley Sofilkanich anchored the frontcourt with 10 points and 8 rebounds in limited minutes.

Michigan State Fought Hard But Couldn’t Hold On

Kennedy Blair led Michigan State with 21 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing her versatility on the glass. Jalyn Brown added 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting but found herself in foul trouble near the end of regulation. The Spartans’ depth couldn’t overcome Michigan’s superior ball movement in the decisive overtime frame.

The Breslin Center crowd couldn’t spark a final comeback despite Inés Sotelo contributing 10 points and Rashunda Jones adding 13 points. Michigan State shot a respectable 54% from the field but committed 17 turnovers compared to Michigan’s 20, proving critical in the overtime stretch.

How It Played Out by the Numbers

Quarter	Michigan	Michigan State
Q1	25	22
Q2	16	20
Q3	23	23
Q4	17	16
OT	10	4

After being tied at 81-81 at the end of regulation, Michigan proved its superior execution and composure when it mattered most. The Wolverines outscored the Spartans 10-4 in overtime, demonstrating their Big Ten tournament experience. Michigan State shot only 4-of-9 from the field during the extra period while committing critical turnovers.

“We knew this would be a battle. Our young women showed tremendous resilience and played with poise when the game was tightest.”

According to team sources, Michigan’s coaching staff emphasized the importance of clutch free throw shooting and defensive focus in the overtimes frame.

What’s Next for Both Programs?

Michigan now sits in second place in the Big Ten race with a 9-1 conference mark, just behind UCLA’s 10-0 undefeated record. The Wolverines continue their tour with additional conference matchups that will test their tournament seeding. Coach Kim Barnes Arico‘s squad has established itself as a legitimate Final Four contender.

Michigan State, despite the loss, remains a formidable threat in Big Ten play with an 8-2 conference record. The Spartans will seek revenge when they host the Wolverines again on February 15 at the Breslin Center. This rivalry continues to deliver high-quality women’s college basketball and showcase the strength of Big Ten competition.

Why This Rivalry Matters So Much for Women’s Basketball Fans

The Michigan-Michigan State women’s basketball rivalry has emerged as one of the nation’s premier matchups, featuring elite coaching, NBA-level talent, and intense defensive battles. Today’s victory showcased everything that makes this conference so compelling. Both teams demonstrated championship-caliber execution, and the overtimes format gave fans spectacular basketball down the stretch.

Fans can expect even more drama when these top-15 programs meet again in mid-February. The storyline of Michigan snapping a three-game home losing streak at the Breslin Center adds another layer to this historic rivalry narrative.

Sources

• ESPN – Official box score and live coverage of Michigan vs. Michigan State women’s basketball
• Fox Sports – Game statistics and overtime analysis from February 1, 2026
• Associated Press – Game summary and player highlights from the rivalry matchup