Michigan
5-17, 1-9
Ohio State
16-7, 7-3
Late Buckeye Run Hands Wolverines Tough Road Loss
2/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Site: Columbus, Ohio (Value City Arena)
Score: Ohio State 65, Michigan 55
Records: U-M (5-17, 1-9 Big Ten), OSU (16-7, 7-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday Feb. 9 -- vs. Penn State (Crisler Arena), 4 p.m.
Boxscore | Postgame Notes
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team dropped a 65-55 decision to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Value City Arena Tuesday night (Feb. 5). Despite holding a four-point lead midway through the second half, the Wolverines were never able to close the door on the Buckeyes, who ended the game on a 17-3 run as Michigan netted only two field goals during the last 10 minutes of the game.
Freshman Kelvin Grady(Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids HS) led the Wolverines with 11 points on four-of-seven shooting, including three-for-six from beyond the three-point arc. Sophomore Ekpe Udoh(Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe HS) added seven points on three-for-four from the field, while collecting five rebounds and four blocks.
Trailing 21-15 midway through the first half, the Michigan bench stepped up, sparking a 13-2 run that included a pair of baskets by junior/sophomore Zack Gibson(Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS). The run, which was exclusively comprised of points from Michigan reserves, was highlighted by long distance three-pointers by sophomore/freshman Anthony Wright(Sterling, Va./Oak Hill Academy) and junior Jevohn Shepherd(Toronto, Canada/West Hills Collegiate). Showing precise ball movement and an improved transition game, the Wolverines spread the ball late in the half as a three-point play by senior/junior C.J. Lee(Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS) gave U-M the 28-23 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Ohio State continued to battle the Wolverines until halftime, but a Grady three-pointer -- Michigan's fourth trey of the night -- sent U-M into the locker room with a 32-31 advantage.
Knotted at 40-40 early in the second half, the game became nip-and-tuck as the Wolverines were never able to mount a lead larger than two baskets. Following a pair of low-post finishes by Udoh, Michigan added jumpers by Shepherd and Harris to grab a 52-48 advantage at 8:34. It was the Wolverines' last lead, however, as the Buckeyes went on to end the game on a 17-3 run, sealing Michigan's 65-55 defeat.
The Wolverines continue their Big Ten season, hosting Penn State Saturday (Feb. 9) at Crisler Arena. Tipoff against the Nittany Lions is scheduled for 4 p.m. with the game broadcast on the Big Ten Network. During the game, U-M will induct Jenny Allard (softball), Ann Colloton (women's swimming), Bill Hewitt (football), Desmond Howard (football), Michael Leach (men's tennis) and Ruth Pickett Thompson (synchronized swimming) into the U-M Hall of Honor.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
