Nov. 14, 2009

• Box Score |  Notes |  Photo Gallery 
• Michigan Audio: Coach John Beilein | Junior G Manny Harris | Freshman G Matt Vogrich
• Video: Highlights | Postgame Press Conference | Lockerroom Reaction

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: #15 Michigan 97, Northern Michigan 50
Records: U-M (1-0), Northern Michigan (0-1)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov.20 -- vs. Houston Baptist (Crisler Arena), 7 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team (No. 15 AP/No. 15 ESPN/USA Today) tipped off the regular season on Saturday night (Nov. 14) with a 97-50 drubbing of Northern Michigan at Crisler Arena. Junior guard Manny Harris (Detroit, Mich./Redford) registered the first Michigan triple-double in more than 22 years with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists to power the Wolverines past the Wildcats. Senior forward DeShawn Sims (Detroit, Mich./Pershing) recorded a double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds) and led Michigan in scoring.

Sims had 10 points in the first half to lead a balanced offensive attack that picked apart the Wildcat defense for a 51-25 lead at the break. Freshman Matt Vogrich (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), playing in his first career game, nailed a trio of three-pointers as nine Wolverines scored in the half. U-M jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead with 15:45 to play behind five points from freshman guard Darius Morris (Los Angeles, Calif./Windward), who made his first career start in his first career game. Northern Michigan struggled to score in the first half as a stifling Michigan defense held the Wildcats to just 29-percent (11-for-38) field-goal shooting and only 18 percent (3-for-17) from beyond the arc.

Michigan continued to pour it on in the second half, coming out of the locker room with a 14-4 run in the first 4:16 to swell the lead to 65-29. Sims capped the opening sequence with a three-pointer, combing with Harris for 10 points during the run. Harris then completed his triple-double with an assist on yet another Vogrich trey with 8:52 to play in the game. Fourteen players saw game action for Michigan, including four true freshmen.

Harris finished his prolific night going six-for-10 from the field and five-for-six from the free-throw line. His triple-double was the first for Michigan since Gary Grant (1985-88) tallied 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on March 14, 1987, against North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan finished the game with five players scoring in double digits and shot 57 percent from the field along with nine baskets from downtown (36 percent), led by Vogrich's perfect five-for-five shooting from behind the three-point line.

Michigan's next game is Friday night (Nov. 20) when it hosts Houston Baptist in Crisler Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be webcasted on BigTenNetwork.com.

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423