Rutgers men’s basketball team lost to Michigan 101-60 on Saturday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. Michigan, now 8-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play, shot 60 percent from the field and maintained control throughout the game.
Michigan scored 52 points in the paint and made 13 three-pointers, finishing with 26 assists on their 39 field goals. The Wolverines established a commanding lead early, going into halftime ahead by 25 points and extending their advantage to as much as 42 points in the second half.
Rutgers took an early lead after Harun Zrno scored a layup, but Michigan responded with a run that put them firmly ahead. Morez Johnson Jr., a freshman for Michigan, led all scorers with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks while shooting nine of eleven from the floor. Point guard Elliot Cadeau contributed with 11 points, nine assists, and two steals. Yaxel Lendeborg added 14 points and eight rebounds for Michigan. Five Wolverine players finished in double figures.
Rutgers struggled offensively throughout the game, making just over one-third of their shots from the field and converting six out of twenty-three attempts from beyond the arc. They committed eighteen turnovers that resulted in twenty-two points for Michigan. Freshman guard Harun Zrno led Rutgers with thirteen points and four rebounds. Dylan Grant had eleven points along with seven rebounds and three assists. Kaden Powers set a career-high with thirteen points including three three-pointers, while Tariq Francis scored nine off the bench.
Despite scoring thirty-five bench points, Rutgers could not overcome Michigan’s depth or passing.
The Scarlet Knights’ next game is against Seton Hall at Prudential Center on December 13 as part of the Garden State Hardwood Classic. Afterward, Rutgers will play four consecutive home games at Jersey Mike’s Arena against Penn (December 20), Delaware State (December 29), Ohio State (January 2), and Oregon (January 5).
“Harun Zrno had his first career start.”
“Kaden Powers had a career-high 13 points.”
