Shorthanded Michigan Beats Rutgers 54-50
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Derrick Walton Jr. scored 10 of his 12 points in the final six minutes as short-handed Michigan defeated Rutgers 54-50 on Tuesday night.
Aubrey Dawkins had 11 points and Zak Irvin added 10 for the Wolverines (12-7, 5-2 Big Ten), who were playing their first game without leading scorer and rebounder Caris LeVert. The junior guard is out for the season with a left foot injury suffered against Northwestern Saturday.
Myles Mack had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Scarlet Knights (10-10, 2-5), who have lost three straight since upsetting No. 4 Wisconsin. Kadeem Jack added 13 points.
Michigan scored 11 straight for a 48-42 lead with 3:03 remaining. Walton hit two straight 3-pointers during the spurt to give the Wolverines a 45-42 advantage. He went 4 for 4 from the line in the last minute and Irvin added two final free throws.
Trailing 32-25, Rutgers used a 15-2 run to take its largest lead at 40-34. Two Mack free throws made it 42-37 before Michigan started its decisive run. Rutgers committed three turnovers and was 2 of 4 at the foul line during its drought.
Jack hit a short jumper to pull Rutgers within 48-44 before Walton made four straight foul shots to make it 52-44 with 32.5 seconds remaining to seal the Wolverines sixth win in their last eight games.
Despite shooting 34.7 percent from the field, Michigan improved to 6-0 all-time against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights also struggled, shooting just 35.8 percent.
In the first half, Michigan made just 3 for 13 from 3-point range, but still held a 24-22 lead at halftime. There were five ties and eight lead changes during the half. Each team had six turnovers and the largest lead for either side was three.
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