Michigan Women’s Basketball Honors Seniors in Victory Over Penn State

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan women’s basketball team celebrated its seniors on Saturday afternoon, securing a 78-68 victory over Penn State at Crisler Center. The Wolverines (19-6, 10-6 Big Ten) displayed a strong performance, keeping their chances alive for a double bye in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

Syla Swords led the scoring with 24 points, while Jordan Hobbs contributed 18 points, including four 3-pointers. The Wolverines committed only 10 turnovers, showcasing a well-executed game plan and solid defense.

Despite their losing record in conference play, Penn State (10-17, 1-15) managed to cut a 15-point second-half deficit to six on multiple occasions. However, they could not close the gap further as Michigan maintained its lead.

The game also featured a pregame ceremony honoring Hobbs and Greta Kampschroeder, both in their final season with the team. “It was an emotional moment to celebrate them,” said Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico. Hobbs, who has improved her performance significantly over her career, is averaging career highs this season. Kampschroeder had 10 points and a team-leading seven rebounds in the game.

Michigan established an early lead and dominated for the first 25 minutes. The Wolverines took a 36-27 lead into halftime after a series of strong defensive plays and contributions from the senior duo. Hobbs scored the team’s first seven points in the third quarter, helping Michigan to go ahead by as much as 15.

In the final quarter, Penn State briefly pulled within six points, but Swords scored an important and-one and Hobbs added a crucial three-pointer to ensure the game stayed in Michigan’s favor. “We wanted to keep pushing and not let up,” said Swords after the game.

The Wolverines will next host Iowa on Wednesday before finishing the regular season against No. 25 Illinois on Sunday. Their NET ranking stands at 24, with hopes to secure higher placement in the Big Ten Tournament.