Smotrycz Adds 14 Points; Michigan Prevails Against Bowling Green
Ann Arbor, MI, United States (AHN) – It was a battle of two young men’s basketball teams Thursday night with Michigan playing more like a seasoned ball squad at critical times.
Freshman Evan Smotrycz scored 14 points and had seven rebounds to spark Michigan past Bowling Green 69-50 in non-league men’s college basketball action.
The Wolverines, who don’t have a senior on the roster, shot 26-of-54 from the floor for 48.1 percent and 8-of-17 in 3-pointers. The Falcons were 16-of-54 from the floor for 29.6 percent and 2-of-14 in threes.
Darius Morris scored six points but had an outstanding floor game with 11 assists for Michigan.
Michigan coach John Beilein was especially happy with his team’s defense.
“In the last couple of days, you could see things settling on defense,” he said. “I still don’t like the 13 turnovers we had and when they made their shots. Bowling Green was a very talented team in the first half. Our defense is improving each day.”
Smotrycz scored 12 points in the first half to power Michigan to a 39-31 halftime lead.
The Wolverines had an 11-1 scoring binge to start the second half.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored to open the second half and Zach Novak added a 3-pointer late to give Michigan a 44-32 advantage with 17:16 to play. Blake McLimans’ jumper gave Michigan a 46-32 lead moments later. That was followed by Colton Christian’s field goal and a bucket by Hardaway for an 18-point lead and Michigan’s domination continued.
The Wolverines continued to maintain comfortable leads for the rest of the game. Hardaway put the game away with 2:10 to play on a 3-pointer for a 66-46 advantage.
Hardaway’s dad is the five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway. The younger Hardaway had nine points.
The Falcons are also dominated by underclassmen.
“We had two young teams playing tonight,” said Bowling Green coach Louis Orr. “One of the struggles that our team has has been on defense. I’ll give Michigan credit, they shot the ball well.”
Smotrycz hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the first half to give the Wolverines a 39-29 advantage.
Jordan Morgan had 12 points for Michigan and eight rebounds.
Austin Calhoun from nearby Southfield, Mich., led Bowling Green with 16 points while Scott Thomas added nine rebounds. But Calhoun only only had two points in the second half.
“That kid from Southfield was hurting us one-on-one,” Beilein said. ‘We did a good job on him in the second half.”
Michigan was struggling with the Falcons before Matt Vogrich put in a three to give the hosts a 31-27 advantage late in the first half.
“Our post defense is getting better,” Beilein said. “Everybody has a different way of getting the ball in the post. I thought we did OK. I hope we can be versatile in our defensive approach.”
Michigan was 6-of-11 in 3-point shooting in the opening half.
“You have to defend the 3-point line and get back in transition,” Orr said. “Michigan shot well in threes. “They spread you out.”
“This year, the officials are supposed to allow more freedom of movement,” Beilein said. “We have to teach our guys how to play without fouling.”
Michigan improved to 2-0 while BG is 1-1.
“There’s a lot of healthy maturing that goes on when you have a team like ours,” Beilein said.
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