Michigan bounces back, beats UNLV, 74-61
LAS VEGAS » Michigan coach Juwan Howard was hoping a trip to Las Vegas could bring his team together after a tough loss.
It’s off to a great start so far.
Eli Brooks scored 22 points, making four 3-pointers, to help No. 4 Michigan (3-1) to a 74-61 win over UNLV on Friday night.
The Wolverines entered the four-team Roman Main Event tournament coming off a two-point loss at home to Seton Hall on Tuesday. They got to Las Vegas a day early, knowing that the time change and a 9:30 p.m. PST start would play a factor.
“By being on the road, now we get a chance to really grow as a team,” Howard said. “If we’re at home after a game, guys are going back to their apartments or dorms. You come back to practice, you have film session, you have your practice. But are you really having time to spend with one another, talking, communicating?”
There were no communication issues from Michigan. The Wolverines had 15 assists and shot 51% from the floor. After making only 3 of 15 attempts from 3-point range on Tuesday,
Michigan went 6 of 19 Friday and outrebounded UNLV 33-24.
Freshman big man Moussa Diabate had 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Wolverines, and Hunter Dickinson added 13 points and seven rebounds.
“I think tonight just tested our mental stability,” Brooks said. “They went on a lot of runs, and we answered them.”
Bryce Hamilton scored 21 points for the Runnin’ Rebels (3-1), who lost for the first time under new coach Kevin Kruger. Michael Nuga and Donovan Williams each scored 12 points.
Hamilton scored seven points during a 9-2 run that shrunk Michigan’s lead to 35-32 at the end of the first half. He hit his first 3-point attempt in the second half to tie it at 35. After going 4 of 9 in the first half, Hamilton was held to 5 of 14 in the final 20 minutes and was 3 of 13 from behind the arc.
“They’re an elite defensive team,” Kruger said. “They do a really good job with Dickinson and Moussa. They’re always kind of in the back of your mind. Those shots in the paint or those shots that are contested are a little more difficult when you got rim protectors back there.”