Wolverines turn tables on Blue Devils

12/6/2008

ANN ARBOR Playing No. 4 Duke Saturday for the second time in 16 days, the Michigan Wolverines avenged an earlier loss to the Blue Devils, winning 81-73.

Students and fans at the sold-out Crisler Arena rushed the floor after the game, which was televised nationally on ESPN.

UM forward DeShawn Sims scored a career-high 28 points to lead all players. He had 17 in the second half and helped the Wolverines extend a 32-30 halftime advantage.

Manny Harris contributed 17 points for UM and freshman Zack Novak added a career-best 14 points off the bench.

Duke beat UM 71-56 on Nov. 21 and had won the last seven games in this series.

The Blue Devils struggled mightily from long range on Saturday, making just 7-of-33 3-pointers.

Jon Scheyer led Duke with 16 points.

The win is UM s second against a top 10 team this season. The Wolverines beat then-No. 4 UCLA on Nov. 20.

Contact Joe Vardon at: jvardon@theblade.com or 419-410-5055.