Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals
Written by AJ Rovner on March 10, 2024
The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship is set. It’ll be between (5) Nebraska who is making its first appearance since 2014 and (2) Iowa who will be playing on “Championship Sunday” for the 4th straight season.
It all got started with (8) Maryland and (5) Nebraska with the Cornhuskers winning 78-68. The score may have been close, but Nebraska led this game for 37:42 and never trailed.
The Terrapins (21-14, 11-10) came into the tournament on the March Madness bubble, but with making it to the semifinals any doubt has now subsided, and Maryland will dance. Between Bri McDaniel fouling out and Jakia Brown-Turner shooting 3-15 it kept Maryland behind the 8 ball all game. However, Shyanne Sellers tallied 15 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Also, Faith Masonius was excellent as she had 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Nebraska will play for its 2nd Big Ten Tournament title tomorrow thanks to the play of Jaz Shelley. Playing 116/120 minutes through three days thus far, Shelley is averaging 22 points and 7 assists. Today, specifically Shelley had 30 points (10-16 shooting including 6-12 from three-point territory) as well as dishing out 9 assists. Additionally, Alexis Markowski added 9 points and 13 rebounds.
“Just so incredibly proud of this group. Really excited to continue to advance with them and to be playing in the championship game tomorrow,” Nebraska head coach Amy Williams said.
“I felt really good before this game, and there’s no reason why I can’t feel like that tomorrow,” Shelley said.
Then (6) Michigan and (2) Iowa took the floor. The Hawkeyes (30-4, 17-3) dominated the Wolverines 95-68. Through two games Iowa has beaten Penn State and Michigan by a combined total of 60 points.
Like Maryland, the Wolverines (22-14, 11-10) came into this tournament needing a strong tournament to cement their place in the dance and they did just that. It may not seem like it, but Michigan led this game by 8 late in the first quarter. Laila Phelia had another strong performance today adding 21 points on 50% shooting. Lauren Hansen and Jordan Hobbs also finished in double figures.
Iowa was led by Caitlin Clark (shocker) as she had 28 points and 15 assists. Sydney Affolter, Kate Martin and Hannah Stuelke all finished in double figures.
Affolter has really made an impact these past two games as today the Junior added 7 rebounds and 8 assists along with her 12 points.
“I thought Syd, again, just was outstanding. She has the highest plus-minus of anybody,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said.
Clark was much more efficient today as she shot 10-19 from the field.
“Felt like I got a couple tough rolls on a couple threes there in the second half, but I’ll take my line any day of the week,” Clark said.
Today’s game takes place at 11 AM CT.
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