IU avoided a late scare to defeat Michigan 70-67 at Assembly Hall.
The Wolverines had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer to force overtime, but Muhammid-Ali Abdur-Rahkman missed his 3-point attempt from the corner.
IU junior forward Troy Williams led IU in scoring with 20 points. Junior guard Yogi Ferrell had 18.
Former Indiana Mr. Basketball Zak Irvin had 23 points to lead all scorers. Michigan’s Spike Albrecht chipped in 12 points and had seven assists. He helped lead the Wolverines’ late charge.
Freshman guard James Blackmon Jr. answered any questions so far about being hindered from his ankle injury. Blackmon Jr. took advantage of the Michigan zone defense, cutting into the lane for layups and finding open shots on the outside.
Blackmon Jr. had 13 points in his return to the starting lineup after missing the Hoosiers’ last game against Wisconsin.
Junior forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea made his return to the floor for the first time since January 10, playing four minutes and grabbing one defensive rebound.
Mosquera-Perea checked into the game with eight minute left in the half and also played a bit in the second. IU Coach Tom Crean had hinted that he might be available on Saturday and it became more and more likely that he would play when he participated in warmups.
IU will travel to play Maryland on Wednesday.
Sam Beishuizen
