Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell (22) runs into Michigan ahead Caleb Houstan
AP
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Caleb Houstan scored 13 of his career-high 21 factors within the second half when Michigan pulled away to beat Rutgers 71-62 Wednesday night time with out head coach Juwan Howard, who was serving the primary of a five-game suspension.
Former longtime Saint Joseph’s coach and present Michigan affiliate head coach Phil Martelli was filling in for Howard. Howard was suspended for the rest of the common season and fined $40,000 by the Massive Ten Convention after hitting a Wisconsin assistant coach within the head through the handshake line after a loss Sunday.
“After I spoke to Juwan Howard, he mentioned, “I really feel nice. I've the perfect teaching employees in America,’” Martelli mentioned. “That was (assistant coaches) Saddi Washington and Howard Eisley.”
As well as, Michigan gamers Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate had been suspended for Wednesday’s sport on account of the fracas.
“We knew Rutgers didn’t care that we had folks out,” Houstan mentioned.
Houstan, a freshman, made 5 of Michigan’s seven 3-pointers, Hunter Dickinson added 16 factors and 11 rebounds and Devante’ Jones scored 14 factors for the Wolverines (15-11, 9-7 Massive Ten). Eli Brooks scored 11 factors.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 19 factors and Clifford Omoruyi 17 for the Scarlet Knights (16-11, 10-7), who misplaced their second straight after thrusting themselves into the NCAA Match image with 4 straight victories over ranked opponents earlier than shedding to then-No. 5 Purdue on Sunday.
“Clearly, a tricky highway sport and Michigan performed effectively,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell mentioned. “I believed we had been a step gradual on each ends of the ground. I’m frightened in regards to the stretch with our guys. I believed it type of confirmed a bit bit right here at present. However give them (the Wolverines) credit score.”
Michigan improved its postseason case in a sport it led nearly the whole manner. The Wolverines by no means trailed after taking the lead 4 minutes in. They maintained the lead besides when an Omoruyi dunk gave Rutgers a quick tie early within the second half.
An 11-0 run with 5 factors from Kobe Bufkin and 4 by Brooks gave Michigan the primary double-digit lead of the sport at 59-45 with just below 9 minutes remaining. The lead stayed in double figures till one other Omoruyi dunk for the sport’s remaining factors.
“They acquired on a run there and so they acquired into the lane,” Pikiell mentioned. “We talked so much about that and so they acquired on a bit little bit of run. We had some well timed turnovers, too, and a few alternatives to make some layups and make some photographs, and we didn’t convert. That type of snowballed.”
Michigan held a single-digit lead over the ultimate 16 minutes of a fast-moving first half behind 12 factors from Dickinson and led 32-30. All however six of the 62 factors — on a pair of 3-pointers by Houstan — had been scored contained in the arc.
Rutgers beat Michigan 75-67 on Jan. 4 at residence, the Scarlet Knights’ first win over the Wolverines, who lead the sequence 15-1.
Rutgers is residence towards No. 13 Wisconsin on Saturday. Michigan is host to No. 15 Illinois on Sunday.
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