Wisconsin 58 Michigan 54

Michigan couldn't overcome poor shooting (32% for the game) and their comeback effort fell short. Melinda Queen and Veronica Hicks led the way with 12 points each. From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball team cut a 16-point second-half deficit to three points with 14 seconds remaining, but the rally was too late as the Wolverines dropped a 58-54 decision at Wisconsin on Sunday (Jan. 11) in the Kohl Center.

With the Badgers leading by 10 points with under two minutes remaining, a three-pointer from freshman Courtney Boylan (Minnetonka, Minn./Chaska HS) coupled with a free throw from senior Melinda Queen (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg) cut the score to 56-50 with 44 seconds remaining. After a missed UW foul shot, senior Stephany Skrba(Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) nailed a pair of free throws to get U-M within four. UW then went 1-for-2 from the line to build the lead back to five before Boylan hit a jumper to pull Michigan to within 57-54. However, Wisconsin hit one of its two subsequent foul shots to put the game away.

Next: Wisconsin

Michigan travels to Madison today to play the Badgers at 2:30pm. Wisconsin (12-4, 2-3 in the Big 10) is led by sophomore guard Alyssa Karel (13.8 ppg).

Wisconsin had a strong start to the season (10-1 in non conference), including a win over highly ranked Baylor on the road. They've struggled a bit in conference play and currently are on a 2 game losing streak.

This will be a good chance for the Wolverines to grab a road win and move up a bit in the Big 10 standings. Maybe they can capitalize on their big win last year, with Krista Phillip's 40 ft three pointer that sent the game into overtime & ultimately a win.

Michigan 52 Illinois 44

It wasn't the prettiest game, but it was a win & one that Michigan needed. Veronica Hicks led the way with 12 points, Jessica Minnfield added 11 (and 5 assists), Carly Benson had 9 and Krista Phillips add 9 rebounds.

Michigan was able to keep Jenna Smith in check (10 points) and the rest of the Illini weren't able to pick up enough of the slack.

From mgoblue.com:

The University of Michigan women's basketball team upended Illinois, 52-44, Thursday night (Jan. 8) in Crisler Arena. Sophomore guard Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood) led the way with 12 points and senior guard Jessica Minnfield (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) added 11 points and a game-high five assists for the Wolverines. Lydia McCully led Illinois with 11 points.

Michigan took control early, scoring the first four points of the contest on baskets by senior forward Stephany Skrba (Toronto, Ontario/Langstaff Secondary School) and Hicks. U-M never trailed in the opening 20 minutes.

Next: Illinois

Michigan hosts the Illini tonight at 7:00pm. Illinois (4-11, 0-4) has struggled this year with their only wins against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, Eastern Illinois, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Missouri.

They are led by 6'3" Jenna Smith (18.2ppg, 7.5rpg) and Lacey Simpson (11.5ppg, 8.5rpg). This is a game Michigan needs to win and even their record in the conference at 2-2.

Penn State 76 Michigan 58

Michigan couldn't overcome being outrebounded (50-32) and being outshot (53% - 42%). Carly Benson led the way with 21 points and Veronica Hicks add14.

From mgoblue.com:

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Senior forward Carly Benson (Carney, Mich./Carney Nadeau Public School) was 5-of-12 from behind the three-point line and tallied a team-high 21 points for her seventh game in double figures as the Wolverines dropped a Big Ten conference game 76-58 to Penn State this afternoon (Sunday, Jan. 4) at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The Lady Lions shot lights out in the second half, finishing 17-of-32 from the floor -- good for 53.1 percent -- and 5-of-10 from behind the three-point line to put the game out of reach for the Wolverines. Penn State opened the second stanza right where they finished the first frame, and with two quick buckets, built a 12-point lead, forcing the Wolverines to call a timeout. A bucket from sophomore guard Veronica Hicks (Chicago, Ill/Thornwood) ended a 6-0 Penn State run to open the half, but the Lady Lions used a 10-2 run to take a 39-23 lead with just 4:40 seconds off the second-half clock.

Next: Penn State

Michigan travels to State College to play the Nittany Lions (6-7, 1-2) at 2:00pm. Penn State is led by junior guard Tyra Grant (19.0pts/game) and senior guard Brianne O'Rourke (11.9pts/game, 4.9 assists/game).

Penn State has struggled a bit this year, but they did beat Illinois at home and played Texas A&M close on the road (a 61-57 loss). This is a good opportunity for Michigan to steal a road win, which are tough to come by in conference play.

Michigan 66 Northwestern 54

Michigan shot 57% in the second half to overcome a 24-23 halftime deficit and beat the Wildcats. Melinda Queen had a career high 20 points and Jessica Minnfield added 17.

This was a big win for Michigan - they needed to bounce back after the Ohio Sate game and winning home games is very important both to be competitive in the conference race and to position themselves for post season play.