Ann Arbor, Mich. (Dec. 12, 2015) --- Delaware State narrowly avoided a record-low scoring performance in an 80-33 loss to Michigan in a nationally-televised contest (ESPNU) at the Crisler Center this afternoon.
Mrdjan Gasevic hit a jump hook in the lane in the closing moments to help the Hornets avoid a record-low single-game point total, currently 32 in a MEAC Tournament loss to Hampton in 2009 (51-32).
Caris LeVert led six Michigan players in double figures with 15 points, highlighted by three three-point field goals (three-for-five). He also led all players with five assists.
Zak Irvin had 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Duncan Robinson and Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman added 11 points each for the Wolverines.
Kavon Waller and DeAndre Haywood led Delaware State with six points each, while Devin Morgan and Artem Tavakalyan each scored five.
DSU freshman center Demola Onifade topped all players with a career-high nine rebounds and tied his career-best with three blocks.
Michigan led 38-18 at the break and outscored the Hornets 42-15 in the second half.
Delaware State was 12-for-50 from the field (24.0%) for the game, including four-of-21 on three-point shots (19.0%). The Hornets were five-for-23 from the floor (21.7%) and came up empty on each of their six three-point attempts in the second half.
Michigan shot 52.5 percent for the game, connecting on 32 of its 61 shots from the field, including 11-of-27 (40.7) from beyond the arc.
The Wolverines scored the first five points of the game, and opened up a 19-5 lead on a dunk by Robinson off a feed from Kameron Chatman with 11:28 left in the first half.
The Hornets trailed 27-11 before showing a little spark. Tavakalyan capped off a 7-2 DSU run with a three-pointer to cut Michigan's lead to 29-18 at the 4:07 mark of the first half.
That would be the Hornets' final score of the half, as the Wolverines tallied the last nine points to lead by 20 at intermission.
Michigan scored the first 10 points of the second half, and opened up a 48-18 lead on a three-pointer by LeVert with 16:03 left to play.
The Hornets had just three second half points before Haywood hit two free throws with 6:52 remaining in the game.
Michigan won the rebound battle 41-29. The Hornets have been outrebounded in each game this season.
DSU was also plagued by 17 turnovers. Michigan had 23 assists and just seven turnovers in the game.
The Wolverines won for the fifth time in six games to improve to 7-3 this season.
The Hornets will remain on the road for their next contest on Tues. (Dec. 15) against first-time opponent Grand Canyon University. Game time is 9 p.m. ET in Phoenix, Ariz.
