Michigan
4-9 (0-1)
Wisconsin
11-2 (1-0)
Comeback Effort Stopped in Loss to No. 24 Wisconsin
1/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: #24 Wisconsin 70, Michigan 54
Records: U-M (4-9, 0-1), Wisconsin (11-2, 1-0)
Attendance: 8,855
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 5 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 2 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A second-half rally by the University of Michigan men's basketball team was not enough, as U-M fell 70-54 to the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers Wednesday (Jan. 2) in Crisler Arena. After trailing by 20, the Wolverines came within eight points of the Badgers -- the first time Michigan saw less than a ten-point deficit. Michigan fought hard for the rest of the contest, but a tough Wisconsin defense stopped the U-M comeback effort.
Freshman Manny Harris(Detroit, Mich./Redford HS) led the Wolverines with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting and three rebounds. Sophomore DeShawn Sims(Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS) added 13 points, three blocks and a steal.
After a slow start offensively, Wisconsin gained a 10-0 advantage in the game's first seven minutes. The Wolverines' closed the gap to seven with a three-pointer by sophomore Zach Gibson(Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) at 12:22 of the half. Back-to-back jump shots by Sims and Jevohn Shepard(Toronto, Ontario, Canada/West Hill Collegiate) lessened to Wolverines deficit to five, 15-10, with 8:18 left in the half. Free throws by Harris and Anthony Wright(Sterling, Va./Oak Hill Academy HS) rounded out the first half of Michigan's scoring and -- with 5:10 to go -- Michigan trailed 21-15. Following a three-pointer by Wisconsin's Trevon Hughes, the Badgers went on an 18-8 run to end the half, leaving the score at 34-18.
Wright scored five points in the first half on one-of-two shooting from the field, including two-of-two from the free throw line. Michigan's bench was key to the first-half lead, outscoring the starters 11-7, as three U-M reserves recorded field goals.
Wisconsin opened up the second half on an 8-4 run, which included four points apiece from fifth-year senior Brian Butch and junior Marcus Landry to widen its advantage to 42-22, marking the Badgers' largest lead of the night. The Wolverines responded with a 12-2 run, led by three baskets from Harris to close the gap to 44-34 at 10:33. After exchanging baskets, Wisconsin stretched its lead to 63-47 with 2:33 to go. The badgers were charged by two three's from freshman Jon Leuer, who finished with 25 points to lead the Badgers in scoring.
The Wolverines continue Big Ten play when they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to face Purdue Saturday (Jan. 5) in Mackey Arena. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be televised on ESPN.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
