No. 5 Michigan opens its season with the highest-ranked victory in program history as Te’Yala Delfosse scores a career-high 22 points and the Wolverines end UConn’s 39-game regular-season winning streak.
The No. 5 Michigan women’s basketball team delivered the biggest upset in program history Thursday night, November 5, defeating No. 2 UConn 77-66 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. Te’Yala Delfosse scored a career-high 22 points as the Wolverines opened their 2026-27 season by defeating the highest-ranked opponent in school history.
The victory came before 9,575 spectators in the first matchup between two top-five women’s basketball teams at Crisler Center. Michigan also ended UConn’s 39-game regular-season winning streak, handing the Huskies their first regular-season defeat since February 6, 2025.
Olivia Olson contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, while Courtney Ogden scored 12 points in her Michigan debut. Syla Swords added 10 points, giving the Wolverines four double-digit scorers against one of the most successful programs in women’s college basketball.
Delfosse Leads Michigan’s Breakthrough
Delfosse emerged as the central figure in Michigan’s historic victory, combining efficient outside shooting with strong rebounding and timely scoring. The junior guard finished with nine rebounds and made four of her six attempts from three-point range.
Her biggest contributions came during a closely contested second half when UConn threatened to regain control. Delfosse connected on consecutive three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping Michigan build a 63-57 advantage that it would not surrender.
The performance was particularly important because Michigan entered the game without starting point guard Mila Holloway. Holloway is sidelined indefinitely with a left leg injury, leaving the Wolverines to adjust their rotation against a highly ranked opponent.
Ogden, a transfer from Stanford, provided an immediate contribution in her first regular-season appearance for Michigan. Her 12 points helped balance the offense and reduced the scoring burden on Olson and Delfosse.
The victory also reflected the progress Michigan has made under longtime head coach Kim Barnes Arico. After reaching the Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the Wolverines entered the new season with several experienced players and increased expectations.
UConn’s Early Advantage Disappears
UConn began the game with a strong first quarter, taking a 21-17 lead behind freshman Jovana Popovic. The young guard scored nine points in the opening period and repeatedly found opportunities against Michigan’s defense.
However, the Huskies suffered a major setback when Sarah Strong, the reigning Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year, picked up her third personal foul late in the first quarter. Strong had not scored, and the foul trouble forced coach Geno Auriemma to keep one of his most important players on the bench for much of the first half.
Michigan took advantage of her absence by tightening its defense and limiting UConn’s scoring opportunities. The Huskies managed only eight points in the second quarter as the Wolverines moved ahead.
Michigan finished the first half on a 6-0 run, including a Delfosse three-pointer that helped establish a 35-29 halftime lead. Delfosse had already scored 12 points and collected seven rebounds, while Olson contributed 10 points before the break.
The Wolverines’ 2-3 zone defense created problems for UConn’s offensive rhythm. Rather than consistently finding open shots near the basket, the Huskies struggled to move the ball efficiently and establish their usual scoring balance.
Michigan Responds to UConn’s Comeback
UConn returned from halftime with renewed energy and quickly erased Michigan’s advantage. The Huskies opened the third quarter with an 8-1 run, while Strong returned to the floor and began contributing offensively.
UConn briefly took a 40-38 lead, putting Michigan under pressure after the Wolverines had controlled much of the second quarter. The teams continued trading baskets as both offenses struggled to build a comfortable margin.
Michigan eventually entered the fourth quarter with a narrow 55-53 advantage. The outcome remained uncertain, particularly with UConn’s experience and ability to produce quick scoring runs.
The Wolverines responded with their strongest stretch of the game.
Michigan put together a 13-2 run early in the final period, forcing Auriemma to call two timeouts as his team struggled to contain the Wolverines. The run helped Michigan create separation in a game that had remained close for three quarters.
Michigan scored 22 points in the fourth quarter while holding UConn to 13. The Wolverines made half of their field-goal attempts during the period and connected on three of five shots from beyond the arc.
Defensive stops also proved important. Michigan forced UConn into difficult possessions and capitalized on turnovers to prevent the Huskies from mounting another comeback.
Strong eventually fouled out with 13 points, ending a difficult season-opening performance for one of college basketball’s leading players. Her early foul trouble and limited first-half contributions affected UConn’s ability to establish consistency.
As the final seconds approached, Michigan’s supporters stood and celebrated a result that immediately became one of the defining moments in the program’s history.
Popovic Stands Out Despite UConn’s Loss
Popovic delivered an impressive individual performance for the Huskies despite the defeat. The freshman scored a game-high 25 points, shooting 10-for-15 from the field and making three of five three-point attempts.
She also recorded seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Her performance gave UConn a reliable scoring option during periods when several experienced teammates struggled.
Strong was UConn’s only other player to reach double figures, finishing with 13 points. Olivia Vukosa contributed eight points off the bench, while KK Arnold and Blanca Quiñonez each scored seven.
The Huskies finished with 19 turnovers compared with Michigan’s 14. Michigan also shot 45 percent from three-point range, while UConn connected on just 25.8 percent of its outside attempts.
Those differences helped explain how Michigan secured the victory despite UConn holding a slight rebounding advantage. The Huskies collected 40 rebounds to Michigan’s 38 but could not overcome their offensive mistakes and the Wolverines’ timely perimeter shooting.
The loss was especially significant for a UConn program that entered the season with championship expectations. The Huskies finished the previous campaign with a 38-1 record before losing to South Carolina in the Final Four.
A Defining Moment for Michigan’s Program
Michigan entered the season ranked fifth in the Associated Press poll after completing its most successful campaign in school history. The Wolverines finished 28-7 last season and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Texas.
That tournament appearance represented another step forward for a program seeking to establish itself among the country’s leading women’s basketball teams. The victory over UConn provided immediate evidence that Michigan could compete with elite opponents.
The Wolverines had previously defeated top-five teams, but never an opponent ranked as high as No. 2. Thursday’s result therefore established a new benchmark while giving Michigan a major victory on the opening night of its regular season.
The matchup also carried significance because the programs met during the previous season. UConn defeated Michigan 72-69 at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase in November 2025, making Thursday’s victory a reversal of that close result.
Michigan will return to Crisler Center on Sunday, November 8, to face Wright State at 2 p.m. Eastern. The Wolverines are scheduled to raise their 2026 Elite Eight banner before the game, providing another opportunity to celebrate the program’s recent success.
UConn faces another demanding opponent Sunday when No. 10 Iowa visits the Huskies at 2 p.m. Eastern. The Huskies will also honor former star Azzi Fudd with an induction into the Huskies of Honor before the game.
With Michigan beginning the season 1-0 and UConn falling to 1-1, both teams now turn toward their next challenges. For the Wolverines, the victory over the nation’s second-ranked team establishes an early standard for a season built around hopes of reaching the Final Four for the first time.
IMAGE: Olivia Olson 2025 Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmac612/54282367361/ Author John Mac CC2