Michigan defeats Syracuse 61-56 to earn berth in NCAA national championship game

4/6/2013
BLADE STAFF

ATLANTA -- The Michigan men's basketball team held off a late-game charge and recovered from shaky free-throw shooting in the final minute of regulation to earn a 61-56 win over Syracuse tonight at the Georgia Dome.

With the win, Michigan earns a berth in Monday night's national championship game - its first appearance in the national title game since 1993, and the Wolverines will play for the program's first national title since 1989. The Wolverines (31-7) will face Louisville (34-5) at 9:23 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome.

Tim Hardaway, Jr., led the Wolverines with 13 points, while Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III each added 10 for the Wolverines, who led 36-25 at the half.

C.J. Fair led Syracuse (30-10) with 22 points and helped the Orange cut Michigan's lead to two points in the game's final minute.