Score one for the ACC. The Michigan Wolverines wilted in the second half and fell 70-58 to the the Virginia Cavaliers in an offensively-challenged game at John Paul Jones Arena in Virginia on Tuesday night in the Big Ten Vs. ACC Challenge.
Virginia took command of the game with a 15-0 run in the second as Michigan went from having a 41-38 lead to trailing 53-41 in a disappointing showing by the Wolverines in a game not only for conference bragging rights but one that was nationally televised on ESPN2.
Guards Trey Burke and Zack Novak combined to score 23 points for Michigan, but did not provide any scoring punch down the stretch, failing to score throughout the final 12 minutes of the game. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who entered the night averaging 17.2 points, shot 2-9 from the field and totaled just five points.
Both teams entered the game 5-1, with Michigan having lost only to Duke in the Maui Invitational last week and Virginia coming in as winners of three straight. But both teams started the night in an offensive rut, and Michigan ended the night stuck in their rut, punctuated by their scoreless run that lasted 6:28 that turned a three point lead into a 12-point deficit.
Sixth-year senior Mike Scott led the Cavaliers with 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Michigan will try to get back on the winning track when they host the 5-1 Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday.