Vlad Goldin, Danny Wolf help Michigan basketball outlast Ohio State 86-83

Michigan men’s basketball (20-5, 12-2 Big Ten) won its sixth game in a row Sunday, taking down Ohio State 86-83. It was also the sixth-straight game the Wolverines won by less than five points. They now hold a full-game lead over Michigan State (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten) for first place in the conference. 

Michigan basketball’s bigs help take down Ohio State

As to be expected in a rivalry game, neither team could pull away Sunday. There were 16 lead changes and 11 ties, but Michigan led for nearly 30 minutes. Goldin and guard Nimari Burnett put the pressure on early, combining for the first 14 points for the Wolverines.

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Their bench contributed 16 points in the first half, including six from Will Tschetter, five from Roddy Gayle Jr. and five from L.J. Cason. Goldin finished the first 20 minutes leading all scores with 12 points while shooting 6-of-7 from the floor. Michigan led 44-39 going into the lockers.

Ohio State’s Devin Royal found a rhythm in the second half, scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Royal would finish with a game-high 26 points. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Wolf added 15 points of his own after halftime. Wolf ended the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists and a steal. 

Goldin posted 20 points, ten rebounds, one assist and one block. Gayle Jr. ended his return to Columbus with nine points, eight rebounds and two assists. Tre Donaldson scored six of his eight points in the second half and found his success driving to the rim.

Michigan is set to host a reeling Michigan State team next on Feb. 21.

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