Michigan
13-10,7-5Big Ten
Ohio State
11-12,3-9Big Ten
Strong Performance by Dickinson Leads U-M Over Rival OSU
2/5/2023 4:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Hunter Dickinson recorded his 24th career double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds as the University of Michigan men's basketball team never trailed to defeat Ohio State, 77-69, Sunday afternoon (Feb. 5) at the Crisler Center.
Leaders and Best
Dickinson led the Wolverines in points (26), rebounds (11), and blocks (2). Meanwhile, Jett Howard scored 16 points and Kobe Bufkin added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Turning Point
Michigan held Ohio State without a field goal for more than four minutes midway through the second half, building an 11-point lead during the stretch that it would not relinquish.
Second Half
Both teams traded baskets to start the second half, but the Wolverines finally gained an edge after two straight layups from Dickinson, taking a seven-point lead and forcing an Ohio State timeout with 13 minutes to play. Dickinson scored eight of U-M's first 13 points out of halftime.
The Maize and Blue kept its foot on the gas out of the timeout, holding the Buckeyes without a field goal for over four minutes. At the 9:26 mark, Dug McDaniel buried a three to give Michigan a 61-50 advantage. After OSU finally got a jumper to fall, Joey Baker made a triple from the corner to stretch the lead to 12.
The Wolverines' lead grew as high as 13 after a floater by McDaniel. Despite a late push by Ohio State, Michigan completed the wire-to-wire win, 77-69.
First Half
In the first five minutes of action, Michigan established a 12-6 lead behind six quick points from Dickinson. Ohio State scored five unanswered points to pull within one, but the Wolverines outscored OSU 12-3 over the next four minutes to grow their lead to 10.
The Michigan defense prevented the Buckeyes from making a field goal for nearly four minutes, and a Howard three-pointer eventually put U-M ahead 34-23 with six minutes before the break.
Ohio State answered with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes cut the Michigan lead to three, but the Wolverines tightened up their defense to end the half, limiting the Buckeyes to just one-for-six shooting from the field in its last six attempts. The defensive effort helped U-M grow its advantage to five, leading 41-36 at halftime. Dickinson, Jett Howard and Bufkin reached double figures in the first half.
What's Next
Michigan will continue its homestand against Nebraska on Wednesday (Feb. 8) at Crisler Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Notes
• Dickinson recorded his 24th career double-double, tying him with U-M legend Glen Rice for 12th most all-time.
• Dickinson (38) needs two blocks to reach 40 for a third straight season. He is also seven rebounds away from a third straight season of 200-plus, making him the 13th Wolverine to accomplish this feat.
• After his first career double-double against Northwestern (Feb. 2), Bufkin posted a near double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds. Bufkin has 20 rebounds in his last two games.
• With two three-pointers, Howard has made at least two triples in 18 of 21 career games. Howard ranks second in the Big Ten with 59 three-pointers on the season.
• McDaniel finished with eight points, four rebounds and three assists. He has at least three assists in 10 straight games and 15 straight games with at least two rebounds.
