DEARBORN, Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's basketball team looked to be in complete control midway through the second half of a nonconference matchup with Spring Arbor University Saturday at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse. The Cougars went on furious rally to tie the game late, but the Wolverines showed their grit to pull out a win.

Up 60-45 at the midway point of the second half, UM-Dearborn saw SAU go on a 17-2 run to tie the score at 62-62 with 2:26 to play. Ashton Curd (JR/Detroit, MI) scored on a drive to the basket to give the Wolverines the advantage once again at 64-62. With the Wolverines up 67-62, the Cougars scored and stole the ensuing inbound play, allowing SAU one last shot to tie the game with the 3-pointer. The shot by Caleb Hogans was off the mark for the Cougars and UM-Dearborn held on for a 69-66 win.

The win moves the Wolverines to 4-2 overall on the season as the team prepares to open the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference season at home against No. 3 Davenport University Wednesday.

As he has most of the season, Marcus Williams (SR/Lagos, Nigeria) led the Wolverine offense, finishing with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while hitting three 3-pointers. Williams added seven rebounds and two blocks. Xavier Crofford (SO/Detroit, MI) hit three big shots from deep, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting.

Ashton Curd provided energy off the bench for the Wolverines, scoring nine points and dishing out four assists. With 21 seconds left to play, Curd blocked a Cougar shot that would have brought the visitors to within a point.

The Wolverines shot 25-of-56 from the field, 8-of-26 from deep and 11-of-13 from the line, while winning the rebounding battle 32-26. UM-Dearborn finished with 15 assists and 11 turnovers.

Hogans led the Cougars with 15 points, while Zach Medendorp added 13. SAU shot 26-of-63 from the field, 7-of-24 from behind the 3-point line and 7-of-10 from the line.

The Wolverines welcome Davenport for the WHAC opener at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fieldhouse in Dearborn, Mich.