Wolverines’ Walton does what it takes

WASHINGTON — Seconds after Michigan coach John Beilein told his players to quit bickering, guard Derrick Walton Jr. had his own message to deliver.

Walton huddled his teammates at midcourt and told them they couldn’t let the game get away. Then he backed up those words by having a hand in 18 consecutive points — scoring 14 of those himself and assisting on the others — down the stretch as the eighthseeded Wolverines topped fourthseeded Minnesota 84- 77 on Saturday to earn a spot in the title game of the Big Ten tournament.

Walton finished with 29 points, nine assists, five rebounds, two steals and only one turnover for Michigan ( 23- 11), which has beaten Illinois, No. 13 Purdue and Minnesota since its plane skidded off a runway Wednesday and delayed its arrival in Washington by a day.

‘‘ The game presented me opportunities to make plays,’’ said Walton, who was 8- for- 15 from the field and 10- for- 10 from the line. ‘‘ I just take what the game gives me. . . . My job is easy: Just make sure to get the ball in the right spot.’’

Beilein said he has gotten to the point where he trusts Walton to run the show, especially in pressure spots. After the Golden Gophers ( 24- 9) tied the score at 55, Beilein let Walton settle the Wolverines down.

‘‘ When I see him talking, I just shut up and sit down because I know he sees what’s going on out there much better,’’ Beilein said.

Moritz Wagner added 17 points for Michigan, which shot 54 percent from the field. Nate Mason scored 23 points to lead Minnesota, which lost despite having a 38- 24 edge in rebounds.