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Naz Hillmon shatters Michigan basketball scoring record but U-M suffers first loss of year

Ohio State had no answer for Michigan women basketball’s Naz Hillmon, who poured in the points in the fourth quarter to become the third woman with a 50-point game in Big Ten basketball history.

But Hillmon’s 50 points — and 15 rebounds — weren’t enough for the Wolverines in Columbus, Ohio, as U-M turned the ball over on an inbounds play with 10 seconds left and down by 2 points, ending a furious comeback effort. No. 16 Ohio State held on against No. 11 Michigan, 81-77.

The loss was the first this season for the Wolverines, who had opened with a program-best 10 straight wins and five straight wins in Big Ten play.

Ohio State guard Madison Greene (0) dribbles around Michigan forward Naz Hillmon (00) during the first quarter at Value City Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.
Ohio State guard Madison Greene (0) dribbles around Michigan forward Naz Hillmon (00) during the first quarter at Value City Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021.

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A big part of that hot start was built on Hillmon’s play; the preseason Big Ten player of the year entered Thursday averaging 23.7 points (on 14.3 attempts) and 11.9 rebounds a game. She eclipsed that at Value City Arena against the Buckeyes, scoring her 50 on 20-for-30 shooting and adding 15 rebounds and a block.

The points shattered Michigan’s women’s record of 45, set by Diane Dietz on Feb. 27, 1982 against Illinois. It also broke the record for any Michigan basketball player, topping Rudy Tomjanovich's 48 points against Indiana on Jan. 7, 1969.

Dietz also set the Wolverines’ record for made field goals, 17, in that game — another record broken Thursday by Hillmon.

Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @theford.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Naz Hillmon shatters Michigan basketball scoring record in loss to OSU