Michigan Handles Nicholls State, 91-62

ANN ARBOR (AP) — Caris LeVert scored 19 of his 24 points in the first half, and No. 19 Michigan bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 91-62 victory over Nicholls State on Saturday.

The Wolverines (5-1) were without starting point guard Derrick Walton, who was on the sideline with what appeared to be a boot on his left foot. Spike Albrecht was certainly a capable replacement for Walton, finishing with 10 points, seven assists, three steals and no turnovers.

Ricky Doyle added 15 points for Michigan, and Zak Irvin scored 14.

Nicholls State (0-4) was led by Ja'Dante' Frye, who scored 15 points. T.J. Carpenter added 12.

Michigan lost 60-55 to No. 12 Villanova on Tuesday in New York.

The Wolverines allowed the first four points Saturday before scoring 13 straight and never trailing again. It was 53-20 at halftime.

The victory was Michigan's most lopsided since an 84-53 victory at Illinois on March 4.

Doyle, a freshman, has emerged as a potential answer inside for the Wolverines, who lost Mitch McGary, Jordan Morgan and Jon Horford from last season's frontcourt. Doyle had 10 points in a win over Oregon on Monday, and he shot 6 of 8 from the field with six rebounds Saturday against the Colonels.

Freshman Austin Hatch, who was in a plane crash in 2011 that killed his father and stepmother and left him in a coma for about eight weeks, played the last 1:47 for Michigan.

TIP-INS

Nicholls State: The Colonels have played a tough schedule already, having lost at UCLA by 33 and at Wake Forest by 27. They also play at Wisconsin on Dec. 13.

Michigan: After shooting only 41 percent from the field against Villanova, the Wolverines improved to 55 percent Saturday. They also went 14 of 24 from 3-point range, the second time this season they have shot over 50 percent from beyond the arc.

Michigan came into the game shooting 41 percent from long distance.

UP NEXT

Nicholls State: Hosts Loyola of Louisiana on Dec. 6.

Michigan: Hosts Syracuse on Tuesday night as part of the ACC-Big Ten challenge.

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