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Xavier Cruises Past No. 24 Michigan, 86-70

NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR (AP) — Trevon Bluiett scored 15 points, including a 3-pointer that started a key 12-1 run in the second half, and Xavier pulled away from No. 24 Michigan for an 86-70 victory on Friday night.

Jalen Reynolds and Remy Abell added 15 points apiece for the Musketeers, who shot 9 of 21 from 3-point range and 23 of 26 on free throws. Xavier (3-0) scored the game's first seven points, led 45-36 at halftime and repelled several Michigan rallies down the stretch.

Caris LeVert scored 29 points for Michigan, but the Wolverines (2-1) gave up too many open shots — and Xavier made them pay.

It was the first meeting between the teams since the first round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament — Michigan ended up winning the national title that year.

Xavier led 66-62 when Bluiett connected from beyond the arc. The Musketeers would score nine straight points, and after Michigan ended that stretch with a free throw, Edmond Sumner made a 3-pointer to put Xavier up 78-63.

The teams combined for 24 fouls in the first half, with Michigan's whole front line in foul trouble. Mark Donnal had three fouls, while Ricky Doyle, D.J. Wilson and Moe Wagner had two each. Xavier shot 15 of 17 from the line in the first half.

Michigan came close to taking the lead on a couple occasions in the second. The Wolverines trailed by two after Duncan Robinson made back-to-back 3-pointers, but Abell answered with a 3 for Xavier. The Musketeers led 61-59 after a 3 by LeVert, but J.P. Macura connected from beyond the arc and a dunk by Reynolds pushed the lead to seven.

TIP-INS

Xavier: Reynolds and Sumner were both back on familiar turf. They're from Detroit. ... Myles Davis scored 14 points. ... James Farr had 13 rebounds, and Reynolds and Bluiett had nine each.

Michigan: LeVert was the only Michigan player who scored in double figures. ... The Wolverines were outrebounded 47-29.

UP NEXT

Xavier hosts Northern Kentucky on Monday night.

Michigan heads to the Bahamas to play Connecticut on Wednesday night in the Battle 4 Atlantis event.

 

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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