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Wolverines storm back for 64-62 victory over Adrian

Wolverines storm back for 64-62 victory over Adrian

DEARBORN, Mich. - The first half of a nonconference game between the University of Michigan-Dearborn men's basketball team and Adrian College saw the Wolverines struggle to find their footing on offense, but UM-Dearborn kept its record at the Fieldhouse this season perfect with a furious comeback in the second half on Friday.

The Wolverines shot just 38 percent in the first half, but hit 56 percent after the break, outscoring the visitors 41-27 in the final 20 minutes. Two clutch 3-pointers from Marcus Williams (SR/Lagos, Nigeria) and a pair of highlight dunks from Xavier Crofford (SO/Detroit, MI) pulled UM-Dearborn in front. The Wolverines hit their free throws down the stretch to secure a 64-62 win, the third straight victory to close out the 2016 portion of the schedule. The win moves UM-Dearborn to 11-6 overall, matching the team's win total from a year ago.

Adrian started strong, using a 20-5 run in the opening minutes to establish an early lead as the Bulldogs took a 35-23 advantage at the break. A 10-0 run for the Wolverines that included two 3-pointers and a 3-point play from Jason Penn (JR/Detroit, MI), cut the Adrian advantage to just three just five minutes into the second half. The first of three second-half 3-pointers from Williams gave the Wolverines their first lead since the opening minutes of the game with 8:26 left on the clock.

The teams battled back and forth down the stretch, but Adrian was able to pull ahead by five with under two mintes to play. Williams took over from there with two triples win less than 40 seconds, putting UM-Dearborn up 61-60. The Wolverines locked it up with three late free throws.

Penn was a force down low for the Wolverines all game scoring a game-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while grabbing 15 rebounds for a double-double and blocking five shots. Williams added 18 points and six rebounds after a slow start in the first half, while Crofford finished with 13 points.

The Wolverines shot 23-of-49 from the field, 6-of-19 from deep and 12-of-21 from the line, while finishing with 14 assists and nine turnovers.

Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Davonte Harris with 17 points, while Justin Webster added a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Adrian shot 22-of-57 from the field, 6-of-20 from behind the 3-point line and made 12-of-15 free throws. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle 33-31.

UM-Dearborn will rest up over the break and get ready to take on the nation's top team as No. 1 Cornerstone University comes to town for a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Confernece matchup at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Januay 4 at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.

UNOH edges Wolverine men 63-58
November 30, 2016 UNOH edges Wolverine men 63-58