Storm
01-17-2010, 03:59 PM
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP)—Zack Novak made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1 1/2 minutes left and Manny Harris followed with a layup to lift Michigan a 68-63 win over No. 15 Connecticut on Sunday.
Harris finished with 18 points for the Wolverines (10-7), who earned the signature win they needed in a season that started with them ranked 15th, coming off their first NCAA tournament bid since 1998.
The Huskies (11-6) have lost three straight for the first time since closing the 2006-07 season with four losses.
Connecticut’s Kemba Walker had 15, Gavin Edwards scored 14, Jerome Dyson had 13 and Stanley Robinson added 11.
The Huskies struggled at the free-throw line, missing four in the last 45 seconds and going 16 of 25 overall. Dyson, the team’s leading scorer, was 5 of 16 from the field and 2 for 5 at the line.
Harris has played well all season for Michigan. For a change, he got plenty of help.
Stu Douglass scored 13 points—making three 3-pointers—Novak had 10 points. DeShawn Sims had eight points and 11 rebounds while dealing with foul trouble and Anthony Wright nearly doubled his season high with nine points.
Novak’s clutch 3-pointer put Michigan ahead 61-58. He also made two free throws in the final minute to seal the victory that led to a fired-up crowd rushing the court.
Harris opened the second half with a putback to put the Wolverines up by 11. Connecticut responded with a 16-5 run that Edwards capped with back-to-back baskets.
Both teams took turns with the lead and Novak provided a boost by swatting an alley-oop pass by the Huskies and scoring on an offensive rebound putback on the ensuing possession.
The Wolverines fell behind 12-6, but quickly showed they had enough talent and confidence to win the game.
Douglass made consecutive 3-pointers to tie it and Michigan led 32-23 at halftime.
Huge win for the Wolverines. These are the games that will help come selection Sunday if UM is on the bubble, which they probably will be.
Harris finished with 18 points for the Wolverines (10-7), who earned the signature win they needed in a season that started with them ranked 15th, coming off their first NCAA tournament bid since 1998.
The Huskies (11-6) have lost three straight for the first time since closing the 2006-07 season with four losses.
Connecticut’s Kemba Walker had 15, Gavin Edwards scored 14, Jerome Dyson had 13 and Stanley Robinson added 11.
The Huskies struggled at the free-throw line, missing four in the last 45 seconds and going 16 of 25 overall. Dyson, the team’s leading scorer, was 5 of 16 from the field and 2 for 5 at the line.
Harris has played well all season for Michigan. For a change, he got plenty of help.
Stu Douglass scored 13 points—making three 3-pointers—Novak had 10 points. DeShawn Sims had eight points and 11 rebounds while dealing with foul trouble and Anthony Wright nearly doubled his season high with nine points.
Novak’s clutch 3-pointer put Michigan ahead 61-58. He also made two free throws in the final minute to seal the victory that led to a fired-up crowd rushing the court.
Harris opened the second half with a putback to put the Wolverines up by 11. Connecticut responded with a 16-5 run that Edwards capped with back-to-back baskets.
Both teams took turns with the lead and Novak provided a boost by swatting an alley-oop pass by the Huskies and scoring on an offensive rebound putback on the ensuing possession.
The Wolverines fell behind 12-6, but quickly showed they had enough talent and confidence to win the game.
Douglass made consecutive 3-pointers to tie it and Michigan led 32-23 at halftime.
Huge win for the Wolverines. These are the games that will help come selection Sunday if UM is on the bubble, which they probably will be.