No. 1 Arizona rallies from 11-point deficit to beat Michigan 72-70

Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) looks to pass around Michigan guard Caris LeVert, left, and forward Mitch McGary during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Michigan forward Glenn Robinson III makes a layup as Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) looks on during the first half Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan basketball team lost a 72-70 thriller to top-ranked Arizona today at Crisler Center.

Searching for its first win over the nation's No. 1 team since 1997, the Wolverines (6-4) led most of the afternoon before Arizona rallied late.

Wildcats guard Nick Johnson made six free throws over the final 25 seconds — including a pair with UM leading by a point — to punctuate the visitors' comeback from an 11-point deficit.

Glenn Robinson III scored a game-high 20 points to lead Michigan.

Nick Johnson made six free throws over the final 25 seconds, and No. 1 Arizona held on to complete the rally. 

The Wolverines (6-4) led by one when Johnson drew a foul on a drive with 24.6 seconds left. He made both free throws, and Michigan’s Nik Stauskas missed at the other end. After a tie-up, the possession arrow gave the Wildcats (11-0) the ball with 9.5 seconds remaining.

Johnson pushed the lead to three with two more free throws, and Arizona fouled Spike Albrecht at the other end. Albrecht made only one of two free throws, and after two more free throws by Johnson made it 71-67, a late Michigan 3-pointer wasn’t enough.