ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – An upset bid of knocking off No. 1 Purdue University in Ann Arbor fell short on Thursday night, 75-70, as Michigan fell to 11-9 on the year. Michigan was within six points with 36 seconds to go but Purdue went 4-of-5 from the line to seal the win.
One of the highlights of the game was Hunter Dickinson battling Purdue’s Zach Edey for the top big man in the Big Ten. Dickinson finished with 21 points and seven rebounds shooting 6-of-14 from the floor with three three-pointers. Edey had 19 points with nine rebounds while going 9-of-16 shooting with two blocks.
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“It was like two heavy weights tonight battling. Two of the best bigs in the country and our conference competing. It was fun to watch from the sideline,” said Michigan head coach Juwan Howard.
After Dickinson’s 21 points, Kobe Bufkin added 16 points and Joey Baker gave 11 points. Michigan shot 44 percent and made nine three-pointers for 36 percent but fell short at the line going just 9-of-14. Purdue shot 54 percent overall and was 41 percent from the arc making 80 percent of their free shots. Purdue also out rebounded Michigan, 34-26.
Six minutes into the game, Michigan had a five-point lead, 15-10, on two free throws from Terrance Williams II. Two minutes earlier, Dickinson made two free throws for a six-point advantage, 13-7. At the 8:02 mark, Dickinson went 1-of-2 at the line for a two-point lead, 28-26. That was the last points made by Michigan for almost six minutes as Purdue went on a 15-0 run for a 13-point lead, 41-28. Dickinson once again went to the line and made two free throws with 36 seconds left in the half to cut the lead to six, 41-35, at the half.
Purdue pushed their lead to 11 points, 48-37, just two and half minutes into the second half. At the 12:32 mark, Jace Howard hit a jumper to pull Michigan to within five, 53-48. Two minutes later, Purdue had a 10-point lead, 58-48, and was still up by 10, 65-55, with 6:28 left. With 2:15 to go, Purdue had a nine-point lead, 71-62, as neither team couldn’t hit a shot for the next minute and a half. Dickinson connected on a three-pointer with 36 seconds left as Michigan was within six, 71-65. Baker had a steal with 34 seconds left but missed the three-pointer as he fouled to stop the clock. Purdue missed the free throw and Baker had a fast break bucket as the Wolverines cut the lead to four, 71-67, with 14 seconds left. After a Michigan foul, Purdue hit both free throws and then Baker nailed a three-pointer with five seconds left to come within three, 73-70. Purdue iced the game making both free throws to end the game.
Michigan heads to Penn State on Sunday at 12 p.m. playing on the Big Ten Network.
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