For the first five minutes, it seemed as though the No. 13 Michigan women’s basketball team was facing a real juggernaut. Gridlocked in a tie, all of the Wolverines’ efforts were matched by an equally balanced Harvard team and their opponents’ mistakes were mirrored by their own. Yet, as the quarter closed out, they surged ahead and led the Crimsons by 16 — a trend of comeback momentum that played out time and time again.
Michigan (2-0) notched its second victory of the season in a 84-55 affair against Harvard (1-1). Despite the lopsided scoreline, the matchup wasn’t defined by the Wolverines’ all out dominance, rather it was gritty and hard fought, characterized by their ability to pick themselves up and do what it took to win.
Following that stagnant first five minutes, Michigan picked up the pace and turned to the style of play that had suited them throughout their first game — forcing turnovers and converting them into points. While the Crimsons were plagued with shot clock and travel violations, the Wolverines also halted their little offensive momentum with aggressive defensive play. From there, the ball found itself primarily in the hands of sophomore guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords who tallied the baskets to give Michigan its commanding 24-8 lead.
Heading into the second quarter, however, the Wolverines once more fell into lull. Again the teams spent the first half of the quarter trading turnovers. While Michigan found the net a few times, its poorly timed fouls gave Harvard a second quarter scoring lead, narrowing the Wolverines grasp on the game.
But once more, Michigan buckled down and recaptured momentum, this time in the last 90 seconds of the half. The story of the game even spelled itself out in individual plays — a missed layup by sophomore guard Mila Holloway was quickly collected by freshman forward Ciara Byers for a second-chance layup. Pushing, sprinting and focusing on every opportunity for a point, the Wolverines locked back in and kept their 16-point lead heading into halftime.
The third and fourth quarter saw a return to back-and-forth scoring with Michigan narrowly outpacing the Crimsons’ scoring. Led by its trio of sophomores and backed by the defensive and rebounding presence of senior guard Brooke Quarles Daniels, the Wolverines were able to extend their lead bit by bit before another scoring surge in the fourth quarter that extended their lead for a final score of 84-55.
The Wolverines’ ability to capitalize on opportunities they created when it counted ultimately pushed them ahead. When they needed the points, when they were falling in a small hole, they always quickly hopped out of it.
For the Wolverines, this win wasn’t about perfection, rather persistence as whenever Michigan slipped, it never stayed down for long.
