Michigan
9-3,1-1Big Ten
Presbyterian College
2-10,0-0Big South
Dominant Defense, Bench Scoring Highlight Michigan Rout of Presbyterian College
12/21/2019 3:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» Michigan held Presbyterian College to 44 points, the lowest total allowed by U-M this season.
» The Wolverine bench scored a season-high 41 points.
» Michigan held Presbyterian to 28 percent shooting (17-for-60).
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #14 Michigan 86, Presbyterian College 44
Records: U-M (9-3), PC (2-10)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Dec. 29 -- vs. UMass Lowell (Crisler Center), 2 p.m. (TV: FS1)
• Watch: Coach Howard Postgame Press Conference
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A strong defensive effort and a banner day from the Wolverine bench helped lead the No. 14-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team to an 86-44 victory over Presbyterian College on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 21) at Crisler Center.
Michigan held the Blue Hose to 44 points, the lowest total allowed by Michigan this season, and just 28 percent shooting (17 of 60). Cory Hightower, Presbyterian College's leading scorer, was held to just four points over 32 minutes.
Junior Eli Brooks led the Wolverines in scoring with 16 points, while senior Jon Teske added 15 points and grabbed seven boards. Senior Zavier Simpson dished out nine assists and scored nine points.
The Michigan bench scored season-best 41 points, including a career-high nine from freshman Cole Bajema. Sophomore David DeJulius provided 12 points off the bench, and senior Austin Davis scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds in a career-high 17 minutes.
Michigan forced 13 turnovers while out-rebounding Presbyterian, 44-30, with a team-best eight boards from Davis, while Teske and Colin Castleton each added seven.
Michigan started strong defensively, causing four turnovers to help it take a 7-0 lead through the first three minutes. The Wolverines maintained intense defense, holding Presbyterian scoreless for five minutes while increasing their lead to 17-4 with 10 minutes to play in the first half. A three-pointer from Adrien Nunez followed by a steal and fast-break dunk by Brooks capped off an 8-0 scoring run before a Presbyterian timeout.
After trading baskets following the timeout, back-to-back three-pointers from DeJulius gave Michigan a 25-9 lead with seven minutes to play in the half. With a three-pointer from Brooks and seven points from Teske, Michigan then went on a 13-2 run to take a 35-11 advantage with just under three minutes to play before halftime. The Wolverines closed the half with a 38-15 lead on two free throws from Bajema.
Michigan caused 10 turnovers in the first half and held Presbyterian College to 6-for-25 (24 percent) shooting, which included the Blue Hose going 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. Presbyterian's 15 points were the fewest scored against the Maize and Blue in the first half this season.
Teske scored 11 first-half points to lead the Wolverines and grabbed four rebounds. Michigan's bench outscored the Presbyterian College bench, 16-15, led by six points from DeJulius and five points from Nunez.
Michigan started the second half on a 12-4 scoring run in the first four minutes to take a 50-19 lead. Brooks opened with 10 points, including two three-pointers, in the first five minutes. After two Blue Hose three-pointers, the Wolverines answered with an 8-0 run over two and half minutes to push the lead to 63-25 with 12 minutes to play.
Michigan maintained a 40-point lead through the final 10 minutes of the game on its way to a convincing victory.
U-M will finish its three-game homestand next Sunday (Dec. 29), when the Wolverines play host to UMass Lowell. Tipoff at Crisler Center is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on FS1.
