And then, on that same possession, she found herself open behind the defense, a clear look at the basket. The ball flew over the defender and Robbins caught it. She landed awkwardly though, her right knee buckling and a shout ringing out.
Just like that, the Michigan women’s basketball team lost its best defender, its second-leading scorer and one of its most capable rebounders. Her ACL torn, the senior’s breakout season was finished. Her career, over.
The Michigan women’s basketball team has lost a key player in senior forward Kayla Robbins, who announced via Twitter on Tuesday that she tore her ACL in Sunday’s game at Nebraska.
Nolan gathered it under the basket, though, sprinting to the corner and sent one last prayer up as the buzzer sounded.
It wasn’t answered, and the Wolverines (12-6 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) fell to Nebraska (14-4, 4-3) on Sunday, 74-71.
By many standards, the Michigan women’s basketball team has had a rough few weeks.
Despite its talent, the Michigan women’s basketball team has been unable to produce against top teams, culminating in a 77-49 collapse against Maryland.
Following its heartbreaking one-point loss to Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals last season, the Michigan women’s basketball team entered this year looking for revenge.
But Sunday, Michigan’s ball security was no better than it had been in that Dec. 28 loss. After scoring on its first possession and preventing the Terrapins from getting on the board for the first 2:30, the Wolverines turned the ball over six times over a six-minute stretch, during which they only scored two points. This sloppy play allowed Maryland to jump out to an eight-point lead it never gave back, resulting in a 77-49 Michigan loss.
In the end, the three outpaced the Wolverines’ (11-4 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) inside dominance on Thursday as Ohio State (9-6, 2-2) won 78-69.
Sometimes, the shots just aren’t falling. Many teams can withstand rough spells if they’re at an easier point in the schedule or have favorable matchups, but the Michigan women’s basketball team was not that lucky.
Sophomore guard Amy Dilk overcame a slow start to the season, coming on strong in recent games against elite opponents No. 8 Florida State and No. 12 Maryland. Her surge is a manifestation of what coaches expected from her, and what the team needs from her in order to meet their goal of the Sweet Sixteen this year.