Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Northwestern Falls To Michigan, 68-51
1/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2006
Box Score | Notes
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Mohamed Hachad (pictured) and Vedran Vukusic led the Wildcats with 17 and 15 points, respectively, but could not overcome Michigan's hot shooting as the Wildcats fell to the Wolverines 68-51 Wednesday night at Crisler Arena.
The 'Cats return to the hardwood this Saturday when they host No. 7 Illinois at 3:30 p.m.
Lester Abram scored 20 and Dion Harris had 15 points for Michigan.
The Wolverines (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) broke open a close game with 11 straight points from late in the first half to early in the second.
The Wildcats (9-7, 2-3) have lost three straight Big Ten games after starting 2-0 in the conference for the first time in 23 years.
Michigan shot a blistering 76 percent in the first half, but NU kept it close thanks to 13 points from Vukusic and two treys from true freshman Craig Moore. They trailed by just three, 34-31, after a Hachad layup with 2:50 left, but two dunks by Michigan's Brent Petway to close out the half gave UM the 38-31 lead at the break.
While Michigan was ahead by 22 midway through the second half, point guard Daniel Horton fell to the ground and held his left ankle. He limped off the floor but was later able to run down the tunnel and return to the bench. Horton finished with four points and eight assists.
The Wolverines built their first cushion with a 10-0 run, taking a 17-9 lead midway through the first half. After Northwestern pulled within three, the Wolverines responded with an 11-4 run to go ahead 30-20.
Brent Petway's back-to-back dunks put Michigan ahead 38-31 at halftime, and it led by 14 after the game's decisive run. The Wolverines were able to coast the rest of the way.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
