Michigan falls to Penn State after second-half shooting slump

Wolverines in midst of three game losing streak.

By Ashley Bastock / The Blade
Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:47:36 GMT

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ANN ARBOR — Poor second-half shooting doomed Michigan’s men’s basketball team in a 72-63 loss to Penn State on Wednesday night.  

The Wolverines shot just 28.2 percent from the field in the second half (11 of 39). Penn State made 12 of their 25 second-half shots (48 percent). Total, Michigan shot 24 of 68 from the field (35.3 percent), and just 5 of 28 from 3 (17.9 percent).

“They understand exactly how we shot the ball, being 5 of 28 from 3, and being open looks,” coach Juwan Howard said after the game. “So you can't point the finger and blame the offense, blame the coach, or anything like that, and I'm not saying that has happened. But I will say this, come tomorrow, yes, we will watch film, we will see on some of the actions where we either made the right read, or didn't shoot the ball with confidence, or maybe the ball just didn't go in.”

With the loss, the Wolverines are in the midst of a season-worst three-game losing streak. It’s the first time the program has lost at least three games in a row since they lost five straight during the 2014-15 season. 

Zavier Simpson Michigan with 18 points and six assists, playing all 40 minutes. Brandon Johns, Jr., had 14 points, and Eli Brooks scored 12. 

For Penn State, leading-scorer Lamar Stevens had 19 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Curtis Jones had 18 points, while Myreon Jones scored 16. The Nittany Lions shot 48 percent from the field. 

“They got too many open looks, and it was because of lack of communication on the defensive end,” Howard said. “And it's January 22. We talk about that we have to communicate on defense, be physical, don't be surprised. We have a great scouting report, we watch film on every opponent. ... So you have to own it. You've got to be able to do your job.”

The Nittany Lions opened the game with a 9-2 run (including seven points from Stevens), forcing Howard to burn a timeout at the 17:51 mark.

“Not being ready to play, not being locked in to play, the energy wasn't there,” Brooks said. “We gotta do a better job starting games and not getting behind, and play focused.”

When Stevens went to the bench, the Wolverines went on an 11-0 run, propelled by seven points from Brooks, to take a 19-15 lead. 

Penn State responded defensively by sagging into the paint, going under all of Michigan’s ball screens, and cutting off transition lanes. The result was a 16-2 run, during which Michigan went 6 minutes and 13 seconds without scoring, and committed six turnovers.

The Nittany Lions took a 37-28 lead at halftime. While Michigan was able to limit damage in the paint, giving up just six points in the first half, Penn State made 9 of 15 midrange shot and scored 10 points off Michigan’s eight first-half turnovers.

As the second half opened, Howard had to once again burn a timeout within the first three minutes as Penn State went on a 7-3 run.

What followed was a four-and-a-half-minute stretch without a field goal from either team. Penn State was whistled for six personal fouls over the first 5:10 of the half, Michigan scored six points from the foul line, and a Simpson jumper cut the Nittany Lions’ lead to five, 44-39.

But Michigan’s abysmal second-half shooting continued to be its biggest issue down the stretch, going minutes at a time without hitting a field goal.  

Penn State led by 15 with 7:06 to play. While the Wolverines appeared to be lifeless, they mustered a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 62-57 with 3:50 left. But a quick five-point spurt by Penn State again bumped the lead up to double-digits, sealing the game.

Michigan has two days to adjust before Illinois comes to town for a noon game on Saturday. Howard and company must figure out how to keep a three-game skid from spiraling any further.

“I've got that under control, you can trust me on that one,” Howard said. “There is not going to be any doubt in that locker room. We will not lose trust in one another. There is a lot of season to be played. You learn from games like this.”

Added Brooks: “It's just about people buying in. We can't forfeit the games coming up, so something has to give at the end of the day. You gotta fight through it and take pride in it.”

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