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Scott helps Virginia overpower Michigan

Nov 30, 2011 - 5:32 AM Charlottesville, VA (Sports Network) - Mike Scott exploited a smaller Michigan frontline to the tune of 18 points and 11 rebounds, as Virginia suffocated the 14th-ranked Wolverines, 70-58, in the opening contest of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge at John Paul Jones Arena.

Scott used his wider frame and strength to dominant the interior, while his teammates focused on locking down Michigan's guard play. Freshman Trey Burke had 11 points for Michigan (5-2), but Tim Hardaway, Jr. was held to five points while battling foul trouble. Zack Novak led the way with 12 points for the Wolverines, who have dropped two of three.

"They do a tremendous job (on defense)," Michigan head coach John Beilein said. "I'm not crazy about scoring 58 points but not a lot of teams may score 58 points against them. They're tough to get easy baskets against and when you get them, you can't miss them and we had several of those in the game."

Joe Harris supported Scott's interior efforts with 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals, as Virginia (6-1) captured its fourth straight victory.

Hardaway committed two fouls in the first five-plus minutes, leaving for the remainder of the half with the Wolverines in front, 7-5. Michigan opened a 15-10 lead on Novak's short jumper just inside the eight-minute mark, but Virginia squared the bout at 19-19 on a pair of free throws from Harris.

The remainder of the first half stayed close with the home team clinging to a 24-23 lead after 20 minutes.

With Hardaway back in the saddle, the Wolverines gained a 34-31 edge on Burke's layup nearly five minutes in, but Virginia finally found the soft spot on the interior a few minutes later, leading to 12 successive points capped by Scott's jumper with just under 7 1/2 minutes to go for a 50-41 game. Scott scored four of the final six and set up a three-pointer off a double team in the post.

"They were stretching us out, defensively with their four-guard line-ups, so we said 'okay we're going to have to guard them that way, but they are going to have to guard us inside.' We tried to really get Mike touches," said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett.

The margin grew to as many as 14 at 66-52 on a Sammy Zeglinski free throw. The Wolverines never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Evan Smotrycz donated 10 points and five rebounds for Michigan...Hardaway made just 2-of-9 shots from the floor...Malcolm Brogdon posted 16 points and Zeglinski added 11 points and six assists in the victory...Virginia held a huge edge on the foul line, making 10 more free throws (17) than Michigan attempted (7)...The all-time series is tied, 2-2.