Michigan Improves to 3-1 in Big 10 Play

Michigan improved to 13-3 on the season and 3-1 in Big 10 action with a 15-point 64-49 win over the visiting Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday afternoon at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. Manny Harris led all scorers with 18 points while DeShawn Sims chipped in with 16. Michigan built an early lead in the contest and never looked back.

ANN ARBOR -- The Michigan basketball team continued its remarkable turnaround on Sunday afternoon. Behind 18 points from Manny Harris and 16 off the hot hand of DeShawn Sims the Michigan basketball team improved to 13-3 on the season and 3-1 in Big 10 play with a 64-49 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Crisler Arena.

Michigan opened the contest by doubling up the Hawkeyes 32-16 in first half action and never looked back. The lead eventually grew to 28 points before settling back for the 15-point final decision.

The lead was 10-4 Michigan five minutes into the contest. Kelvin Grady and Laval Lucas-Perry each connecting on a three-ball, Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims each converting a quick two as Michigan built the early lead. The pressure didn't stop there, though.

Lucas-Perry's quick move to the basket and Manny Harris' first long ball of the game gave Michigan its first lead in double figures.

A pair of Iowa three's from Jake Kelly and Devan Bawinkel pulled Iowa back with 17-10 near the middle of the half. They would cut it to five later at 19-14, but it got no closer.

A 13-2 Michigan run to the break put the game out of reach. Harris scored six over the span with both a three-ball and an old-fashioned three-point play. DeShawn Sims added six points as well.

The second half opened with the teams exchanging buckets over the first five minutes. Four different scorers for each team contributed to the scoring as Michigan continued to hold a 41-24 lead. Sims, Grady, Harris and Novak, who hit from long range, represented the U-M scorers.

Over the middle of the half U-M extended that lead. Kelvin Grady hit from deep again, and Manny Harris chipped in four straight points to make it 48-29. Novak and Lucas-Perry then each hit a pair of free throws to make it 52-29.

After the lead grew to 28 points with seven minutes left the Hawkeyes finished the contest 14-5 run to end the contest.

The Wolverines look to improve to 4-1 in conference play when they travel to Champaign, Ill., on Wednesday night to meet the Illinois Fighting Illinois for the final time of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30. Michigan won the first match up between the two teams just seven days ago in Ann Arbor.