Bufkin scores 20 Michigan defeats Northwestern 85-78

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Kobe Bufkin scored 20 points, Jett Howard had 16 points and seven assists, and Michigan defeated Northwestern 85-78 on Sunday.

After losing their 10-point lead, the Wolverines held on to the lead for 10 more minutes.

In the second half, there were seven lead changes and four ties before a Wolverines 8-0 run gave them a 68-60 lead at the seven minute mark. With 2:29 remaining, the Wildcats reduced their deficit to five points with a Matthew Nicholson layup. Bufkin made a 3-pointer to cut the gap to five, and Tarris Reed added a layup to give Michigan a 10-point lead.

With 42 seconds remaining, Northwestern was within 79-74 after Boo Buie’s layup. Buie scored another layup to make it 81-76. Michigan was then seven points ahead when Bufkin dunk with 16 seconds left.

Hunter Dickinson was averaging 10 points per game and Hunter McDaniel had five assists.

Buie led Northwestern (12-5-33) with 22 point. Robbie Beran was 16th, Nicholson 13, Brooks Barnhizer 10th. Chase Audige was the Wildcats’ top scorer with 15.8 points per game. He had eight points and five thefts.

The Wolverines shot 52% and made 10 of 22 3 pointers. But they were held back by 18 turnovers. This was double their season average. Northwestern shot 42% but made just 6 of 23 3-pointers.

Michigan led 20-8 by Joey Baker at the half’s halfway mark. Northwestern responded and tied the score at 27, when Chase Audige scored a 3-pointer in 5:39. Julian Roper’s 3 pointer at 1:15 gave Michigan a 39-33 lead. Doug McDaniel, however, scored the final four points in the half to pull Michigan within 39-37% at the break.

After victories over Georgetown, Northwestern suffered its first road loss of season. 20 Michigan State, then-No. 15 Indiana.

Northwestern will play at Iowa on Wednesday, while Michigan will travel to Maryland on Thursday.

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