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No. 17 Michigan handles Towson

Nov 15, 2011 - 6:19 AM Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - Tim Hardaway Jr. netted 15 points to lead No. 17 Michigan to a 64-47 win over the Towson Tigers from Crisler Arena as part of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Evan Smotrycz and Trey Burke had 13 points apiece and Zack Novak chipped in with eight points and five rebounds for the Wolverines (2-0).

Robert Nwankwo led Towson with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Deon Jones had 12 points to go with six rebounds for the Tigers (0-2).

Marcus Damas contributed 11 points, six boards and three assists for Towson.

Michigan came out on fire and dominated the first half, using a 21-0 run to begin the game. Towson finally got on the board with 10:34 to go courtesy of a jumper by Erique Gumbs.

The Wolverines stayed in front for the rest of the half, shooting 46 percent from the floor and scoring 17 points off of 12 Towson turnovers to take a 37-16 lead into the break.

In the second half, Michigan continued to build on its outstanding first half, as a pair of free throws by Smortycz gave the Wolverines a 44-18 lead with 16 minutes to play.

Towson shot 52 percent from the floor and 50 percent from downtown in the second half en route to outscoring Michigan in the final 20 minutes, 31-27, preventing a blowout, but the hole they put themselves in early in the game proved to be too large to overcome and Michigan coasted to victory.

"That was a good a start since I've been here," Michigan head coach John Beilein said. "The second half wasn't a beautiful basketball game, but the first was pretty darn good."

Game Notes

Michigan owns a 5-0 lead in the all-time series with Towson...Towson shot 43 percent for the game, while Michigan shot 46 percent...Michigan outrebounded Towson, 32-30, and dominated inside, scoring 38 points in the paint to only 18 for the Tigers.