Michigan
12-8,3-6Big Ten
Nebraska
7-14,2-8Big Ten
Michigan Earns Win at Nebraska Behind Brooks' Big Night
1/28/2020 10:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» Michigan defeated Nebraska, 79-68, on Tuesday night (Jan. 28) at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
» Eli Brooks scored 20 points, which included four three-pointers.
» Brandon Johns Jr. scored a career-high 16 points.
» Michigan used a 19-3 second-half run to seal the victory.
» The Wolverines will return to action Saturday (Feb. 1) when they take on Rutgers at Madison Square Garden.
Site: Lincoln, Neb. (Pinnacle Bank Arena)
Score: Michigan 79, Nebraska 68
Records: Michigan (12-8, 3-6 B1G), Nebraska (7-14, 2-8 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 1 -- vs. Rutgers (New York, N.Y.), 4:30 p.m. (TV: BTN)
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Junior guard Eli Brooks scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out four assists to lead the University of Michigan men's basketball team to a 79-68 victory over Nebraska on Tuesday night (Jan. 28) at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The win snapped a four-game skid and was U-M's first on the road this season.
Playing without senior Zavier Simpson and junior Isaiah Livers, the Wolverines (12-8, 3-6 Big Ten) spread out its offensive output with eight players scoring and three reaching double figures. Brooks' fourth career 20-point game included four three-pointers.
Freshman Franz Wagner also had a big night pouring in 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds, while sophomore Brandon Johns Jr. posted a career-best 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field and a career-high five made free throws.
Senior Jon Teske was one point and two rebounds shy of a double-double contributing nine points and eight rebounds while also blocking a team-best two shots.
Michigan dominated Nebraska (7-14, 2-8 Big Ten) on the boards, outrebounding the Cornhuskers, 41-27, including 10 offensive boards which turned into 10 points.
Michigan heated up from beyond the three-point line early in the contest, sinking three, including two from Brooks before Colin Castleton scored five quick points to give the Wolverines a 26-23 with 8:37 left in the first half.
Upon returning from the timeout, the teams went without a basket for more than two minutes. Johns made clutch plays down the stretch, including a block that led to him scoring on a layup. On the next possession, Brooks drained his third triple of the half and put Michigan up, 40-35, heading into the locker room.
Seven Wolverines scored in the first half with Brooks' nine points on three three-pointers leading the way, while Johns added eight points.
The Wolverines led by seven points, 48-41, with 17:47 remaining following a made free throw by Wagner on an and-one chance, but Nebraska went on an 11-2 run over the next 3:58 to take a 52-50 lead. A Wagner three-pointer gave the lead back to Michigan before an Austin Davis putback extended Michigan's advantage to 55-52 with 11:46 to play.
Wagner's three sparked a 19-3 run as the Wolverines maintained a 69-55 lead over Nebraska and kept the Cornhuskers without a basket for more than five minutes. The run was all the Wolverines needed to seal the victory.
Michigan will be back in action Saturday (Feb. 1) at 4:30 p.m. when it travels to New York City for a Super Saturday contest against Rutgers at Madison Square Garden. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network. Prior to the contest, the Michigan wrestling team will take on the Scarlet Knights at 1 p.m.
