Michigan
8-17 (4-9)
Ohio State
17-9 (8-5)
Michigan Ends Slide Against Buckeyes with Huge Home Win
2/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Site: Ann Arbor, Michigan (Crisler Arena)
Score: Michigan 80, Ohio State 70
Records: U-M (8-17, 4-9 Big Ten), OSU (17-9, 8-5 Big Ten)
Attendance: 13,751
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Feb. 21 -- at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 8 p.m. CST
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team collected its third straight Big Ten win, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes, 80-70, in front of a sold-out crowd Sunday afternoon (Feb. 17) in Crisler Arena. Boosted by 14 bench points in the first half, the Wolverines were tied with the Buckeyes at halftime -- but unlike U-M's game against the Buckeyes earlier this season, Michigan shot well in the second half, connecting on five three-pointers to build a 10-point lead midway through the final period.
Freshman Manny Harris(Detroit, Mich./Redford HS) scored a career-high 27 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also finished 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Sophomore DeShawn Sims(Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS) added 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also posted seven boards.
The teams exchanged baskets for six ties and eight lead changes in the first half, and neither team was able to build a substantial scoring run. A three-pointer by senior David Merritt(West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield HS) gave the Wolverines a 19-17 lead with just less than 11 minutes remaining in the half, providing the Wolverines their first advantage since the early moments of the contest. Merritt went on to score back-to-back driving layups later the half, helping him set career highs in points and field goals in the first period alone. Michigan's hustle kept U-M afloat as the first half wound down, as the Wolverines finished the period with nine points off four offensive rebounds. Michigan ended the half with a three-pointer by Harris and a Sims dunk, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 38-38.
A series of three-pointers within the first 10 minutes of the second half helped the Wolverines build a 58-48 advantage with 10:41 remaining of the final period. Sims accounted for a pair of triples and Harris and freshman Kelvin Grady (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids HS) netted one apiece. Down but not out, the Buckeyes stormed back with a 10-2 run, cutting the Wolverines' advantage to 60-58 with just more than eight minutes to play. Michigan only hit two field goals the rest of the contest, but the Wolverines shot 17 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. It was Michigan's first win over the Buckeyes since 2004.
The Wolverines will begin a final stretch run in the Big Ten with three games in a six-day span. The Maize and Blue will start with a road trip to Minneapolis, Minn., to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers Thursday (Feb. 21) at 8 p.m. CST in Williams Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Minnesota took the first match-up with a 77-65 decision at Crisler Arena (Jan. 31).
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
