Michigan
14-0; 3-0
Penn State
7-7; 0-3
Defense Prevails Again for Wolverines in Victory over Nittany Lions
1/3/2019 10:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» The 68-55 Michigan victory marks its eighth straight over Penn State as the Wolverines improved to 14-0 overall.
» Ignas Brazdeikis scored 16 points and recorded a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.
» Jordan Poole poured in 17 points to lead Michigan in scoring.
» Michigan next will face Indiana at Crisler Center on Sunday (Jan. 6) at 4:30 p.m.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #2/4 Michigan 68, Penn State 55
Records: U-M (14-0, 3-0 Big Ten), Penn State (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Jan. 6 -- vs. Indiana (Crisler Center), 4:30 p.m. - CBS
• Kornacki: How Answering PSU's Run Kept U-M Undefeated
• Watch: Coach Beilein Postgame Press Conference
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team scored 43 points in the second half to propel it to a 68-55 victory against Big Ten Conference foe Penn State on Thursday night (Jan. 3) at Crisler Center. With the win, the Wolverines extended their record to 14-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines' stifling defense was on display once again as they forced the Nittany Lions into 18 turnovers, which turned into 20 Michigan points. U-M held Penn State to 1-for-14 shooting from beyond the arc and added eight steals and six blocks.
Sophomore Jordan Poole led the Michigan offense with 17 points, marking his 10th double-digit scoring effort of the season and the 20th of his career. Ignas Brazdeikis recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior Charles Matthews was the third Wolverine to notch double digits in scoring, adding 14 points.
Brazdeikis led the Wolverines on the glass, with Matthews, Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske pulling down five each. Simpson continued to lead the offense from the point, handing out five assists.
Both teams struggled to score early, combining for seven points over the first four minutes of the game.
Penn State's Lamar Stevens connected on a mid-range jump shot at the 14:22 mark to snap a 4:15 stretch without a field goal. Michigan responded on its next trip down the court, with a layup from Brazdeikis.
Poole got the Michigan offense going, connecting on a step-back three and then dishing out a behind the back pass to assist on an Austin Davis dunk, putting Michigan up, 13-7, with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half.
The Michigan defense held Penn State scoreless for 3:38, forcing three turnovers and two missed shots. Over the same stretch, Michigan made three free throws and a field goal from Poole with 7:47 on the clock to push the Michigan lead to 20-10.
A Michigan scoring drought spanning 2:49 allowed Penn State to keep the game close, as three straight field goals from the Nittany Lions cut the lead to 20-16 and forced a Wolverine timeout with 4:58 remaining.
With under two minutes to play in the half, Eli Brooks forced a turnover at midcourt and raced down floor for a dunk. On the next Michigan possession, Brooks found Teske, who connected on a triple, the fourth of his Michigan career. The Nittany Lions scored one final basket to close out the half, but the Wolverines held a narrow 25-20 halftime lead.
Poole led the Michigan offense in the first half with eight points, while Brazdeikis set a career high in rebounds with nine in the first 20 minutes of action.
After an early basket from Penn State to start the second half, the Michigan offense went on a 9-2 scoring run, extending its lead back to double digits, 34-24.
Brazdeikis grabbed his 10th rebound early in the second half before driving baseline and finishing an and-one layup to give him his first career double-double. Bradzeikis made the free throw to put Michigan up, 48-31, with 11:06 remaining in the game.
A hook shot from Mike Watkins, with 6:54 remaining cut Penn State's deficit to single digits, 53-45, for the first time since the 17:27 mark of the second half. But a quick answer from Poole the following trip down the court kept the Wolverines in firm control as they led, 60-49, at the 2:56 remaining in the game.
Penn State's 55 points marked the ninth time this season that the Wolverines have held an opponent to fewer than 60 points.
The Wolverines will be back in action on Sunday (Jan. 6), when they welcome Indiana to Crisler Center. Opening tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on CBS.
