Michigan Routs Holy Cross 83-48 in Women's NCAA Tournament

Wolverines advance to face N.C. State or Tennessee in the next round

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:18am

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Second-seeded Michigan dominated 15th-seeded Holy Cross from the opening tip, racing out to a 27-6 lead after the first quarter and cruising to an 83-48 victory in the first round of the women's NCAA Tournament. Mila Holloway led the Wolverines with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Syla Swords added 13 points.

Why it matters

Michigan's decisive win over Holy Cross showcases the program's depth and talent, as the Wolverines look to make a deep run in the tournament. The lopsided victory also highlights the competitive imbalance that can occur in the early rounds of March Madness.

The details

Michigan came out firing on all cylinders, scoring the first 10 points of the game and later going on a 12-0 run to build a 21-point lead after the first quarter. The Wolverines' relentless defense and transition offense proved too much for Holy Cross to handle, as Michigan controlled the game from start to finish.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Mila Holloway

A talented sophomore for Michigan who finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

Syla Swords

An All-Big Ten guard for Michigan who scored 13 points.

Olivia Olson

A third-team All-American for Michigan who had 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Candice Green

The head coach of the Holy Cross Crusaders.

Kaitlyn Flanagan

The only Holy Cross player to score in double figures, with 11 points.

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What they’re saying

“Mila is a great player. I think she goes under the radar a lot. She was on triple-double watch.”

— Syla Swords, Michigan Guard

“Really impressed with our team and how we competed. Obviously, Michigan is a fantastic team.”

— Candice Green, Holy Cross Head Coach

“Their pace is something that we haven't played against, even against some of the big names we played like Iowa, UConn and Duke this year.”

— Kaitlyn Flanagan

What’s next

The Wolverines will host N.C. State or Tennessee on Sunday with a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history.

The takeaway

Michigan's dominant performance showcases the program's depth and talent, as the Wolverines look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. However, the lopsided victory also highlights the competitive imbalance that can occur in the early rounds of March Madness.