Michigan
8-3,1-1Big Ten
Oregon
8-2,0-0Pac-12
Michigan Rallies in Second Half but Falls to Oregon in OT
12/14/2019 5:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» Jon Teske recorded his 500th career rebound.
» Zavier Simpson racked up 11 assists for Michigan.
» Franz Wagner matched a career high with 21 points.
» David DeJulius also tied a career high with 14 points.
» Michigan will return to Crisler Center next Saturday (Dec. 21) to host Presbyterian College.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #10 Oregon 71, #5 Michigan 70 (OT)
Records: U-M (8-3), Oregon (8-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Dec. 21 -- vs. Presbyterian College (Crisler Center), Noon (TV: BTN)
Watch: Coach Howard Postgame Press Conference
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to force overtime against No. 10 Oregon but fell short of the Ducks, 71-70, on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 14) at Crisler Center.
Tied at 63 to start overtime, Franz Wagner kicked off the scoring for U-M by knocking down a triple and then finishing a reverse layup to give U-M a 68-67 lead with 3:27 remaining. Oregon regained control, going up, 71-68, but a David DeJulius floater cut the lead to just one with 47 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing inbound, DeJulius deflected the ball and caused an Oregon turnover.
Michigan had opportunities to get into a half-court set and run plays to potentially take the lead and win the game with under 30 seconds remaining in OT. The first attempt was no good, but the rebound scooted out of bounds off Oregon with 10.8 seconds to play. After a delay to review and ultimately confirm Michigan possession, the Wolverines put the ball in the hands of Zavier Simpson, who drove to the hoop and attempted a running hook shot. After the ball bounced above the rim, Brandon Johns Jr. attempted to tip the ball into the basket, but it was unsuccessful and Oregon held on for the win.
The Wolverines had three players score in double figures with freshman Wagner leading the way with 21 points to match a career high on 8-for-13 shooting, including a career-best four three-pointers. Sophomore DeJulius added a career-high 14 points off the bench to go with two steals, while Isaiah Livers contributed 13 points in the second half.
Johns provided a big spark in the second half and overtime, scoring six points, grabbing six rebounds, blocking two shots and notching one steal. Michigan was effective defensively all afternoon, forcing 16 Oregon turnovers and turning them into 10 points.
Senior Jon Teske became part of the 500-rebound club, grabbing four on the day to bring his career total to an even 500. Simpson dished out 11 assists and added eight points.
Wagner got Michigan going early in the first half, corralling a defensive rebound and knocking down a three. A basket from Eli Brooks kept the Wolverines knocking on the door, but strong early shooting from Oregon built up a 13-5 lead going into the first media timeout.
Michigan went scoreless for almost five minutes, and Oregon maintained its lead, but stout defense from the Wolverines kept them within reach of the Ducks early. Simpson snapped the scoreless streak with a pair of free throws with 12:05 remaining in the first half to make the score 15-7.
The Ducks took advantage of the struggling Wolverine offense, going on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 22-9 with eight minutes to play in the half.
DeJulius was a catalyst for the Wolverines off the bench, scoring seven straight points to cut the Oregon lead to 29-18. A driving layup by Simpson brought the Wolverines to within nine and energized the Crisler Center crowd.
With just under two minutes to play in the half, DeJulius connected on his second triple of the afternoon to cut the Oregon lead to just six, 29-23.
Michigan began to find a rhythm in the closing minutes of the half, and the Wolverines headed into the break trailing, 31-23. DeJulius paced the offense with 12 first-half points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field. Livers led the way on the glass, grabbing four boards. U-M forced nine turnovers and allowed just three second-chance points in the first half.
Livers jump-started the Michigan offense in the second half. Paced by 4-for-4 shooting, which included three triples, he scored 11 straight points to bring the Wolverines within five, 39-34, with 16:22 remaining. Nearly three minutes later, baskets from Wagner and Simpson pulled the Wolverines within three, 42-39, and once again awakened the Crisler crowd.
With 8:49 remaining in the second half, two Johns free throws tied the score at 48. With 7:46 left in regulation, Johns nearly brought the house down with a thunderous block, leading to a Wagner three on the other end to give Michigan a 51-48 lead -- its first since the first minute of the game.
Oregon regained the lead, 54-53, with just over five minutes to play in the second half. After trading baskets, Michigan still trailed by one with 2:20 remaining on the clock. A Wagner field goal with just under a minute to play again brought the Wolverines back to within one, 62-61.
Payton Pritchard then split a pair of free throws, bringing the Ducks' lead to two, 63-61. A Johns layup, assisted by Simpson, knotted the game at 63. Oregon held for the last shot and seemingly connected from distance as time expired. However, after review, it was determined the shot came after the buzzer sounded and the game headed to overtime.
Michigan will be back action next Saturday (Dec. 21), when it takes on Presbyterian College. Tipoff is slated for noon, and the game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
