2/23/2023 basketball Edit

Michigan downs Rutgers in critical Big Ten contest

Chris Nalwasky • TheKnightReport

Beat Writer

The Rutgers men's basketball team lost to Michigan, 58-45, in a game it ad to have on Thursday night at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway.

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Michigan (16-12, 10-7) outscored the Scarlet Knights in the second half 32-22. It is now 3-10 when scoring 70 points or less this season. Michigan has won five out of its last seven games.

Rutgers (17-11, 9-8) is now 1-16 all-time against Michigan. The Wolverines moved ahead of Rutgers in a crowded Big Ten that features nine teams striving for a top-four seed for the conference tournament next month.

Caleb McConnell, who missed Rutgers' previous game at Wisconsin with a back injury, came off the bench and promptly nailed a 3-pointer from the right wing in transition to make it 13-3. Michigan scored just three points in the first minutes.

But once Rutgers dipped into its bench, Michigan went on a 9-0 run to cut it 13-12. The Scarlet Knights went over five minutes without a point before Paul Mulcahy hit a triple from the left side.

Rutgers went back ahead 19-12, but Hunter Dickinson gave Michigan its first lead at 22-21 with a spin move in the post against Dean Reiber. Reiber came in over Cliff Omoruyi, who took an elbow to the face and was seen with a gauze up his nose on the bench. The Wolverines were plus-nine at this point with Omoruyi not in the contest.

A Joey Baker wide-open 3-pointer extended Michigan's advantage to 25-21, and its run to 8-0/13-2. McConnell put an end to the run with a fadeaway jump shot. Dug McDaniel was fouled as the seconds ticked off the clock and made one free throw to go into halftime up three points, 26-23.

Michigan missed its first three shots coming out of the break, but connected on four of next six including a 3-pointer by Dickinson at the top of the key. Cam Spencer topped a 10-3 run with a 3-pointer for Rutgers and Omoruyi converted a layup to cut it three. Mulcahy converted a second chance driving layup plus the free throw to make it 40-38 at the 10:00 mark.

Kobe Bufkin's layup gave Michigan a 52-42 lead after a defensive stop by the Wolverines.

McDaniel (16 points), Bufkin (14), and Dickinson (13) all reached double figures for Michigan. Spencer paced Rutgers with 11 points while Omoruyi had 10. Aundre Hyatt was held scoreless.

Turning point

McDaniel's fastbreak layup with 8:39 to go for UM.

Key stats

Free throws: Rutgers was able to get to the line a bunch, but it didn't help. The Scarlet Knights were 3-for-11 from the charity stripe in the first 20 minutes. They finished 5-for-16.

Points off turnovers: Michigan outscored Rutgers in the category 17-3 despite having just three less turnovers (13-10).

16:42: The amount of time Rutgers was ahead in the first half. Yet, Michigan took a 26-23 lead into the break.

Steals: Michigan tallied 11 steals to Rutgers' seven.

Rutgers player of the game: C Cliff Omoruyi

Omoruyi played solid defense and netted 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

RHoops play of the day: McConnell makes his return aver a one game absence and makes a 3-pointer in transition just seconds after he came in.

Up next: Rutgers heads out to Penn State on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (BTN). The Nittany Lions won on the road at Ohio State on Thursday as well.