Michigan basketball holds off Toledo, 96-92, in exhibition for Dusty May’s home debut

The Michigan basketball freshman point guard crossed over, stepped back and let it fly.

It was a heat-check 3-pointer from LJ Cason and sure enough, it fell through the net, much like most everything else the 18-year-old threw up in the first half of his Crisler Center debut, a 96-92 exhibition victory for the Wolverines over Toledo. Cason made all six of his field goal attempts in the first half, including all four 3-pointers and both of his free throws.

When he finally missed, at the 13:18 mark in the second half, it seemed like it wouldn’t matter as Michigan was in control. But Toledo wouldn’t go quietly. The Rockets, down as much as 16 in the second half, got within three at the under-4-minute timeout.

Isaiah Adams’ turn-around bucket over Danny Wolf cut the lead to one, but a Roddy Gayle Jr. three-point play gave U-M some breathing room. Adams, one of five Rockets in double figures, hit a bucket to get them back within two, but Vlad Goldin responded with a layup of his own.

It wasn’t until Gayle hit a 3-pointer with 1:39 play that Wolverines fans finally could breathe easy. Gayle and Cason ended up with a game-high 20 points apiece, with five different Wolverines scoring at least 11.

It was the final tuneup before the regular season begins on Nov. 4 against Cleveland State (8 p.m., Big Ten Network).

Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) shoots in the first half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

A clean start

Friday was a generally impressive showing from Dusty May’s group in his first time coaching at Crisler Center. In the first half, Michigan led 14-4 in points off turnovers, had a 37-15 edge in bench points and forced 10 Rocket turnovers, seven of which came via steals.

The Wolverines shot 18-for-34 (52.9%) from the floor and made seven of 14 3-pointers before halftime; each of Michigan’s 50 first-half points came on the three highest-efficiency outcomes: 3-pointers (21 points), points in the paint…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-basketball-holds-off-toledo-015849441.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-10-26 01:58:00

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