Michigan tops Badgers after long layoff
No. 3 Michigan 67, No. 21 Wisconsin 59: Isaiah Livers scored 20 points and Hunter Dickinson had a doubledouble as Michigan returned from a three-week layoff and rallied from a 14point deficit to beat host Wisconsin on Sunday.
Michigan (14-1, 9-1 Big Ten) scored the game’s final eight points and pulled ahead for good with 1:46 left on a tiebreaking putback from Dickinson, who had 11 points and 15 rebounds. Wisconsin (15-7, 9-6) missed its last seven shots.
The Wolverines hadn’t played since a 70-53 victory at Purdue on Jan. 22. Michigan announced the next day that it was pausing all athletic activities after several people linked to the athletic department tested positive for a COVID-19 variant that transmits at a higher rate.
D’Mitrik Trice scored 16 points, Aleem Ford had 15 and Jonathan Davis had 11 for Wisconsin.
Michigan’s rust was apparent early as Wisconsin led by as many as 14 in the first half and took a 39-27 lead into the locker room.
Wisconsin shot 53.8% overall and went 5 of 7 from 3-point range in the first half against a Michigan team that came in holding opponents to 37.4% shooting, third best in Division I. Ford led the way by scoring 11 points in the first 81⁄2 minutes.
But the Badgers shot 7 of 28 in the second half and missed their last 11 3point attempts.
Drake 51, No. 22 Loyola Chicago 50 (OT): Tremell Murphy scored 17 points, including the go-ahead basket in overtime, and host Drake (20-2, 11-2 MVC) rallied past Loyola Chicago (18-4, 13-2).
Murphy’s layup with 2:50 remaining put the Bulldogs ahead for good, 49-48, in the defensive struggle between Missouri Valley Conference powers. Loyola had two shots blocked in the final 15 seconds before Murphy made the clinching steal and was fouled.
Drake won despite shooting 33.3%. Loyol shot 35.1%. Cameron Krutwig and Aher Uguak scored 11 points apiece for the Ramblers.
Loyola held a 42-32 lead with 8 minutes remaining, but Drake gradually clawed back into contention.