Michigan
6-1,0-0Big Ten
Xavier
6-1,0-0Big East
Strong Defensive Showing Propels Michigan Past No. 22 Xavier to Win Fort Myers Tip-Off Championship
11/27/2024 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team defeated No. 22 Xavier 78-53 on Wednesday night (Nov. 27) to capture the Fort Myers Tip-Off championship at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
Leaders and Best
Danny Wolf led the Wolverines with 20 points and 11 rebounds, his 17th career double-double. Vladislav Goldin had 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Tre Donaldson added 13 points and three assists.
First Half
In a fast-paced start, Michigan (6-1) made three shots from behind the arc over the first eight minutes to lead 17-16, including Goldin's first career three-pointer and two from Wolf.
Halfway through the period, the Wolverines went on a 17-3 run to take a 36-21 lead with 5:30 to play, forcing Xavier (6-1) to take a timeout. Wolf was a major contributor in the first half, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He shot 4-for-4 from three-point range in the opening half, with Michigan shooting 54 percent from deep.
Michigan suffered a four-minute scoring drought in the final minutes of the half, but Wolf's fourth three-pointer of the game halted a 6-0 Xavier run. The Wolverines defense gave up just 30 points and forcing Xavier to turn the ball over 14 times as Michigan closed the half on a 22-12 run to lead 41-30 at the break.
Second Half
Eight minutes into the half, Xavier went on an 8-3 run to cut Michigan's lead to single digits (53-44) before L.J. Cason put back an offensive rebound to reclaim the double-digit advantage.
As Xavier clawed its way back and cut the U-M lead to eight points with seven minutes to go, Cason snapped a two-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer to give Michigan a 62-51 lead. His three-pointer sparked a 13-0 Wolverine run, with the MAize and Blue taking a 72-51 lead into the final media timeout. Goldin scored six points during the run, with Donaldson adding a pair of baskets around the rim.
Michigan closed out the game on a 20-4 run over the final nine minutes. Xavier was without a field goal in the final seven minutes, and the Michigan defense held the Musketeers to 35 percent from the field and forced 19 turnovers.
What's Next
Michigan will open Big Ten play when it takes on No. 15 Wisconsin at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday (Dec. 3) at 8 p.m. CST. The game will be streamed live on Peacock.
Notes
• Michigan is now 4-1 all-time against Xavier.
• Michigan's four turnovers in the first half were tied for its fewest committed in a half this season.
• The Wolverines forced 14 Xavier turnovers in the first half, the most in a half this season.
• Donaldson's 13-point performance marks his sixth game in double figures this season.
• Goldin's 18 points were the high-water mark in his early Wolverine career.
• Wolf's four three-pointers tied his career best previously set against Penn on Feb. 3.
