Michigan
4-8
UCLA
11-1
Michigan Drops Non-Conference Finale to No. 8 UCLA
12/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: #8 UCLA 69, Michigan 54
Records: U-M (4-8), UCLA (11-1)
Attendance: 13,069
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 2 -- vs. Wisconsin (Crisler Arena), 7 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite playing one of its better games of the season, the University of Michigan men's basketball team suffered a 69-54 loss to the No. 8 UCLA Bruins Saturday (Dec. 22) in Crisler Arena. After building an eight-point advantage early in the second half, the Wolverines lost momentum as the Bruins connected on four three-pointers -- three of which came from guard Josh Shipp.
Sophomore DeShawn Sims(Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS) led the Wolverines with 12 points on five-of-nine shooting and six rebounds. Freshman Manny Harris(Detroit, Mich./Redford HS) added 11 points, three steal and an assist.
UCLA began the game hot by gaining an 8-0 advantage in the game's first four minutes. The Wolverines' zone defense stifled the Bruins offensively, as UCLA endured a drought that lasted more than six and a half minutes. During the drought, Michigan tied the game at 11-11 before a three-pointer by sophomore Zach Gibson(Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) gave Michigan its first lead, 14-13, at 6:30 in the half. The bucket led to a three-point borage, as the Wolverines went on to connect on a trio of treys to take a 27-24 lead into halftime.
Sims scored 10 points in the first half on four-of-six shooting from the field, including two-of-four from beyond the arc. Michigan's bench was key to the first-half lead, outscoring UCLA 13-2, as four Wolverines recorded field goals.
Michigan opened up the second half on a 9-4 run, which included five points from senior Ron Coleman (Romulus, Mich./Romulus HS) to widen its advantage to 36-28, marking the Wolverines' largest lead of the afternoon. Shipp and center Kevin Love combined for the Bruins' next nine points, as UCLA went on a 12-0 run to end Michigan's hope of an upset. The Bruins finished the game with four players in double figures, as 60 of UCLA's points came from its starting lineup.
With the non-conference season completed, the Wolverines turn their attention towards Big Ten play. The Maize and Blue open the 2008 conference season against Wisconsin Wednesday (Jan. 2) in Crisler Arena. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
