DEARBORN, Mich. – For the first time in program history, the No. 23 University of Michigan-Dearborn men's basketball team hosted a top-25 contest, keeping pace all game with No. 2 University of Saint Francis Friday at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
The Wolverines trailed by seven at the break but closed the gap early in the second half. After USF built a nine-point lead, UM-Dearborn responded late, but a last-second attempt came up short as the Cougars held on for a 69-67 win. The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 11-6 overall this season.
Mafiaion Joyner (JR/Battle Creek, MI) scored 13 points in the final 20 minutes, including 3-for-5 from long range in the second half. Xavier Crofford (JR/Detroit, MI) netted a three-pointer in the final seconds to give UM-Dearborn a 5-0 run before the final buzzer cut the rally short.
Joyner led the way for the Wolverines with 15 points off the bench. He shot 6-for-11 from the field and added five rebounds. Gage Throgmorton (SR/White Lake, MI) finished with 13 points of his own, including three 3-pointers, while Jason Penn (SR/Detroit, MI) added 12 points.
The Wolverines shot 44.8 percent from the field (26-for-58), went 9-of-20 from long range and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line. They were outrebounded by the Cougars 46-31 and totaled 13 assists in the contest.
The Cougars were led offensively by Bryce Lienhoop with 19 points. Evan Henry added 17 points, five 3-pointers 5-for-8 total from behind the 3-point line.
UM-Dearborn is back in action in a non-conference matchup against Indiana University-Kokomo at 3 pm Saturday at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
