Michigan Outlasts Texas 78-72 In Bahamas
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PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Caris LeVert had 19 points and Michigan held on to beat Texas 78-72 Friday in the fifth-place game at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Duncan Robinson added 14 points. Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. each chipped in 13.
The Wolverines (4-2) never trailed in the game and were hot from the outside, connecting on 14 3-pointers.
Texas (2-3) got as close as a point in the closing minutes, but LeVert scored six of Michigan's final 11 points to help close it out.
Isaiah Taylor had 18 points to lead the Longhorns. Cameron Ridley had 12 points and eight rebounds. Eric Davis Jr. also finished with 12 points.
Texas struggled from the free-throw line, connecting on just 8 of 19 attempts.
Texas slowly ratcheted up its pressure in the second half, eventually forcing some poor Michigan positions.
The Longhorns also started to get some outside shots to fall and drew within 67-66 on Taylor's 3-point play with 4:25 remaining.
The Wolverines settled down and found LeVert for baskets on back-to-back possessions. That was followed by Irvin's 3-pointer to push the lead back up to eight.
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TIP-INS
Texas: The Longhorns outscored the Wolverines 40-34 in the second half. ... Texas held a 30-28 rebounding edge.
Michigan: The Wolverines took a 12-point lead into halftime. ... Michigan got 27 points from its bench for the game.
UP NEXT
Texas hosts UT-Arlington on Tuesday.
Michigan visits N.C. State on Tuesday.
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