The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines delivered a historic performance in their Monday night game against Oakland, breaking the school’s first-half scoring record with 69 points en route to a 121-78 victory. Morez Johnson Jr., who scored 20 of his career-high 24 points, led the way as the Wolverines set a new single-game scoring record for the first half, surpassing the previous mark set in 1987. The team’s overwhelming performance extended into the second half, with Michigan finishing in a tie for the fifth-highest total in program history.
Johnson, a transfer from Illinois, had 14 points in the opening eight minutes and helped Michigan go on a 20-0 run to take control. The Wolverines didn’t let up, making 71% of their shots in the first half to lead by 31 points at halftime. They shot the lights out — literally — in midway through the second half. Trey McKenney was driving into the lane when Crisler Center’s lights went black for about a second before he made a three-point play to give the team 100 points. The freshman point guard finished with 21 points.
Lendeborg came off the bench in his Michigan debut after transferring from UAB because he had a wrap protecting his injured right hand. Will Tschetter had 16 points, Nimari Burnett scored 14 and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 11 for the Wolverines. Oakland’s opener should get the team ready for its next two games against No. 1 Purdue and No. 2 Houston on the road in a six-day span.
Isaac Garrett had 20 points, Tuburu Naivalurua scored 18 and Ziare Wells added 14 for the Golden Grizzlies. Oakland: At No. 1 Purdue on Friday night. Michigan: Plays Wake Forest on Nov. 11 in Detroit.