Friday’s Shell Division Recap: Title Tilt Set Between Michigan, Virginia Tech
Michigan Punches Ticket to Shell Division Title Game
The University of Michigan women’s basketball team used a 41-point second half to knock off Belmont 68-58 in the opening game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Shell Division on Friday afternoon (Nov. 29) at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
Michigan had four players in double figures, led by Olivia Olson‘s first career double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. She was joined by Jordan Hobbs (15 points), Syla Swords (14 points, eight rebounds) and Mila Holloway (11 points) in double figures. Michigan hit nine three-pointers in the contest, getting three each from Swords and Hobbs, with the Michigan defense holding Belmont to just five on 16.1 percent shooting. U-M shot 90.5 percent from the free-throw line, hitting 19-of-21 attempts. Michigan also held a 49-34 advantage on the glass, turning 16 offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points.
Michigan will face Virginia Tech in the Shell Division championship game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Belmont will take on Davidson in the third-place game at 5 p.m. Both games will be carried by Women’s Sports Network.
Virginia Tech Earns Decisive Victory Over Davidson, 79-50
Virginia Tech jumped on Davidson early forcing a timeout call less than three minutes into the game after Matilda Ekh had given the Hokies a 9-0 lead after consecutive baskets including a 3-point field goal. The Hokies would ride that momentum to a 23-6 lead after the opening frame, a lead that they would not relinquish.
When the final horn sounded, Tech had earned a 79-50 victory, their sixth of the season (6-1) and Davidson fell to 3-4. The Hokies will face Michigan on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for the Fort Myers Tip-Off Shell Division title.
Tech once again had production from all up and down the roster, with four athletes tallying double figures including forward Rose Micheaux who has recorded 11 or more in each game this season. Coming off the second triple-double in program history, she came within one rebound of registering a double-double in the game.