Swords, Olson lead Wolverines to 20th win of season

No. 8 Michigan defeats Nebraska 88-76 in Big Ten matchup

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:47pm

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Syla Swords scored 28 points and Olivia Olson had 21 to help No. 8 Michigan pull away and beat Nebraska 88-76 on Wednesday night. The Wolverines (20-3, 11-1 Big Ten) went on a 15-6 run to take a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter and turned what was a closely contested game into a double-digit victory.

Why it matters

Michigan has won a school-record nine straight Big Ten games and reached the 20-win mark for the 20th time under coach Kim Barnes Arico. The Wolverines will face a tough test on Sunday when they host second-ranked UCLA.

The details

The Cornhuskers (16-7, 5-7) were competitive for most of the game, leading 25-24 after the first quarter and 44-42 at halftime. But Michigan surged ahead in the third quarter, making 6 of 8 shots to take a 69-64 lead. The Wolverines then pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure the double-digit victory.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • Michigan has won a school-record nine straight Big Ten games.
  • The Wolverines will face UCLA, the second-ranked team in the AP poll, on Sunday.

The players

Syla Swords

A key player for the Michigan Wolverines, scoring 28 points in the win over Nebraska.

Olivia Olson

Also a standout for Michigan, scoring 21 points in the victory.

Kim Barnes Arico

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who has led the team to 20 wins this season, including 12 seasons with the program.

Britt Prince

A player for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, scoring 16 points in the loss.

Amiah Hargrove

Also a Nebraska player, scoring 16 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Wolverines will face a tough test on Sunday when they host second-ranked UCLA.

The takeaway

Michigan has proven to be a top-10 team this season, reaching the 20-win mark for the 20th time under coach Kim Barnes Arico. The Wolverines' nine-game Big Ten winning streak will be put to the test against UCLA, but they have shown the ability to win tough games against quality opponents.