Michigan
2-0
Central Michigan
1-1
Wolverines Grind Out Win Over Chippewas in In-State Tilt
11/13/2017 10:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (17), Charles Matthews (13), Zavier Simpson (13), Moritz Wagner and Duncan Robinson (10) all scored in double digits.
» Moritz Wagner recorded his second double-double in as many games, adding 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
» Overall, there were seven lead changes, with Michigan regaining the lead for good at 11:13 in the second half.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: Michigan 72, Central Michigan 65
Records: U-M (2-0), CMU (1-1)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Nov. 16 -- vs. Southern Mississippi (Crisler Center), 7 p.m., BTN Plus
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team defeated Central Michigan, 72-65, on Monday night (Nov. 13) inside Crisler Center to remain perfect at 2-0.
Overall, five Wolverines scored in double digits in the win -- senior Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (17), junior Charles Matthews (13), sophomore Zavier Simpson (13), and junior Moritz Wagner and senior Duncan Robinson (10).
Wagner continued to make an impact on both sides of the ball, recording his second double-double in as many games, adding 10 points and 11 rebounds. This marks Wagner's third career double-double.
After closing out the first half with a 32-31 lead, the Maize and Blue began the second half on a 10-3 run over the first four minutes to grow its lead to 42-34. Abdur-Rahkman put up the first five points of the half, first with a layup assisted by Simpson at 18:25 and then his third triple of the night at 17:47, assisted by Robinson.
The middle of the half was filled with give-and-take, as the Chippewas took a one-point lead over the Wolverines at the 11:53 mark. Michigan battled back, using an 8-0 run to seal a nine-point lead, 64-55, U-M's largest of the night, at the 3:22 mark. Over the run, Matthews and Wagner slammed back-to-back dunks, igniting the crowed at Crisler. The Chippewas used a triple at the 30-second mark to come within six of the Wolverines, 69-63, but the Maize and Blue held on, backed by a combined three free throws from Robinson (2) and Simpson, in the final seconds of the game.
ALLEY-OOP!!! @moritz_weasley ?? @1CMatthews #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/pRc4LuRRX1
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) November 14, 2017
In the first half, it was senior Abdur-Rahkman who gave the Wolverines their first lead of the game, as well as their 32-31 lead going into the half -- both with triples. The senior guard added his first triple of the half at the 18:46 mark to give the Maize and Blue a brief 3-2 lead. Central Michigan quickly took back the lead and remained in front until the final minute of the first half.
The Wolverines used a 12-3 run to finish the half, which was capped by Abdur-Rahkman's second triple of the game, and U-M took back the lead just before the halftime break. Sophomore Jon Teske added two key free throws during that run which, paired with his two free throws prior to the run, made up all four of U-M's bench points in the first half. The 7-foot-1 center also added two blocks in his eight minutes of play in the first half.
Overall, there were seven lead changes and Michigan regained the lead for good at 11:13 in the second half after a triple from graduate student Jaaron Simmons. The Wolverines scored 10 points off the fast break in the second half, holding the Chippewas to zero in the category the entire game. U-M also outscored Central Michigan, 15-8, on points off turnovers. The Maize and Blue forced 14 turnovers, while committing only six.
Michigan will play its third home game in six days when it hosts Southern Mississippi on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. inside Crisler Center. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
