CHICAGO — Michigan men’s basketball team took a convincing win over Iowa 74-53 Friday evening in the Big Ten Quarterfinals Friday.
Both teams started the game sizzling in the first six minutes. They combined for 29 points giving the fans what they paid for. Iowa did whatever it took to stay in the game, with 8 minutes left in the first half they had not made a basket from three-point range but only trailed by four, 21-17.
Michigan sparked a 7-0 run making 4 straight baskets and a dagger three-pointer from Matthews that pushed the lead to 11 with just over 3 minutes to play. The Wolverines finished the half shooting 50 percent from the field and helped Iowa to 0-8 from three. The Hawkeyes had 7 turnovers in the first half that turned into 11 points for the Wolverines. Luka Garza led all scorers at the half with 12 points and four rebounds.
Out of the break Iowa continued to struggle to get the ball through the hoop shooting 1-5 from the field but got to the free-throw line and went 6 for 10 going into the under 16 media timeout. Michigan went on a 9-0 run out of the timeout that forced a timeout for Iowa with the Wolverines in the lead 59-35.
Michigan pushed the lead to 22 points into the under 8 media timeout. To that point the Wolverines had only committed 4 turnovers. It was all Michigan the rest of the way as they coasted to a 74-53 win.
Michigan had five players in double figures including Ingnas Brazdeikis who led all scorers with 15 points and three rebounds. The Wolverines also had two players with a double- double Jon Teske 12 points and 10 rebounds and Zavier Simpson 10 points and 11 assists.
Tyler Cook led the way for Iowa with 14 points and six rebounds.
Michigan moves on to Saturday’s Semifinal game at 2:30pm.