Field Level Media
Feb 25, 2021
Franz Wagner scored a season-high 21 points, leading third-ranked Michigan to a 79-57 win over ninth-ranked Iowa in a Big Ten game on Thursday night at Ann Arbor, Mich.
Wagner, who made 9 of 12 field-goal attempts, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, fell one point short of his career high. Michigan also got 16 points from Isaiah Livers, who made 4 of 5 from long distance.
The Wolverines (17-1, 12-1 Big Ten) earned their sixth straight win and improved to 12-0 at home.
Iowa (17-7, 11-6) had its four-game win streak snapped. The Hawkeyes are 5-4 on the road.
Iowa's 6-foot-11 senior Luka Garza, who entered the game as the nation's leading scorer at 24.7 points per game, had an off night. Garza, a consensus first-team All-American last season, was held to 16 points on 6-for-19 shooting. Jordan Bohannon added 13 points.
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan's 7-1 true freshman center, had 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, both on Garza. His height clearly bothered Garza, who scored 77 points in two games last season against Michigan, including a career-high 44-point performance.
Dickinson made 6 of 13 shots from the floor.
Iowa endured a pair of injuries. In the first half, reserve center Jack Nunge, who had right ACL surgery last season, appeared to injure the same knee. He limped off the court and did not return. He was later seen on crutches.
With 16:08 left in the second half, Iowa lost Connor McCaffery, who sprained his left ankle and did not return.
Michigan led 32-29 at halftime with the help of Austin Davis' tip-in at the buzzer. The first half also featured six lead changes and four tie scores.
Both teams shot under 42 percent in the opening 20 minutes as the defense was tenacious. Dickinson helped force Garza to 3-for-11 shooting before the break.
In the second half, Michigan dominated.
For the game, the Wolverines shot 47.1 percent, including 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) on 3-point attempts. Iowa was held to 35.6 percent shooting, including 6-for-19 (31.6 percent) from long distance. Michigan was also plus-9 in rebounds.
--Field Level Media