U-M Squanders Six Point Halftime Lead

Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims, Zack Novak and Kelvin Grady all scored more than 10 points for the Wolverines, but the Maize and Blue fell to 5-2 on the season despite those efforts with a 75-70 loss to the Maryland Terrapins in the 2008 Big 10/ACC Challenge on Wednesday night. Michigan led by six at the half but was unable to hold off a second half rally.

COLLEGE PARK, Mary. -- Despite holding a six-point halftime lead over the Maryland Terrapins in the Wolverines 2008 Big 10/ACC Challenge match up, U-M was unable to maintain its grip on possession of the game as the Terrapins rallied for a 75-70 win to send the Wolverines to 5-2 on the new season.

Michigan was led offensively by Manny Harris, who finished with 15 points, plus had three additional scorers, DeShawn Sims, Zack Novak and Kelvin Grady, who finished in double figures offensively. Maryland was led by Greivis Vasquez who finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

After the Wolverines surged to a six-point halftime lead through the first 20 minutes of action, it took Maryland just one minute in the second half to wipe the slate clean. Vasquez and Terrapin Eric Hayes both tripled on Maryland's first two possessions of the second half to tie the score 35-35.

Manny Harris answered with a three-ball of his own to put Michigan back on top, but the Maryland offense persisted. A 10-0 run, including two more points from Basquez, plus a pair of assists, pushed Maryland to its biggest lead of the game at 45-38 with 15 minutes to play.

Novak answered with a four-point play to pull Michigan back within striking distance. On his next possession he took a backdoor cut to bring Michigan within one. Jevohn Shepherd then put Michigan on top for what would become the last time with just more than 10 minutes to play.

The teams would then exchange buckets until the five minute mark when the Terrapins would ultimately pull ahead for good. Michigan would get within as close as three in the closing seconds, but never closer.

In building a six point halftime lead, the Wolverines were led by 10 points from DeShawn Sims in the opening frame. The Wolverines big man netted just two in the final 20 minutes of game action.

The Wolverines next return to Crisler Arena on Saturday afternoon for a second match up with Duke. The Blue Devils gave the Wolverines their only loss of the season prior to tonight's setback.