Conference play in the Big Ten has finally arrived, and after one weekend, things are unfolding as expected. Highlights include No. 5 USC’s victory over Oregon and No. 21 Iowa’s loss to Tennessee in non-conference play. Iowa has yet to kick off their Big Ten schedule.
Let’s take a look at how the rest of the weekend played out in the newly expanded Big Ten:
Maryland continues to dominate
The No. 7-ranked Terrapins showcased their depth by defeating Purdue 78-69, with five players scoring in double figures.
Although Maryland had a rough start in the opening quarter, they managed to bounce back in the second half, especially with junior guard Bri McDaniel’s impressive performance, scoring 13 points in the third quarter alone.
This offensive surge helped Maryland secure the lead going into the fourth quarter, maintaining their advantage until the end of the game.
Bruins maintain their momentum
UCLA, the No. 1-ranked team, defeated Washington 73-62, preventing any chances of an upset on Sunday.
Washington received strong performances from junior guard Elle Ladine and junior guard Hannah Stines, but UCLA’s junior center Lauren Betts stole the show with 23 points and impressive shooting stats.
Ohio State remains in control
No. 11 Buckeyes secured an 83-74 victory over the Fighting Illini, reaffirming their dominance in the league. Junior forward Cotie McMahon led the way with 23 points in her comeback game after a brief injury.
Michigan narrowly defeats Northwestern
No. 20 Michigan staged a comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat Northwestern 60-54, with Jordan Hobbs making crucial plays down the stretch.
Big time 4Th quarter for Jordan Hobbs
Really growing as a player that can attack off the bounce, and that’s been big time for U of M creating separation here
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) December 8, 2024
Northwestern’s inability to score in the final minutes cost them the upset against Michigan.
Other notable results
No. 24 Nebraska dominated Minnesota 84-65, No. 17 Michigan State cruised past DePaul 89-61, and Wisconsin narrowly edged out Rutgers 66-64. Additionally, Indiana defeated Penn State 75-60 behind strong performances from Yarden Garzon and Karoline Striplin.
