Nov. 20, 2009

• Audio Quotes: Coach John Beilein | Senior DeShawn Sims | Sophomore Stu Douglass
• Box Score |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  | Video Highlights

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: #15 Michigan 77, Houston Baptist 55
Records: U-M (2-0), Houston Baptist (0-4)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Nov. 26 -- vs. Creighton - 2009 Old Spice Classic (Orlando, Fla.), 7 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Motor City Duo of junior guard Manny Harris (Detroit, Mich./Redford) and senior forward DeShawn Sims (Detroit, Mich./Pershing) combined for 47 points to carry the University of Michigan men's basketball team (No. 15 AP/No. 16 ESPN/USA Today) to a 77-55 victory over Houston Baptist on Friday night (Nov. 20) at Crisler Arena. Harris tallied 25 with Sims right behind him at 22.

After trailing the majority of the first half, Michigan went on an 11-2 run to take a 28-20 lead after back-to-back triples from Sims, a fast-break layup from senior/junior Zack Gibson (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), and a three-pointer from Harris, who overcame early shooting struggles to go 8-for-11 from the charity stripe to lead Michigan in scoring with 19 points in the half. Sims connected on two more buckets from downtown as the Wolverines pushed the tempo. Harris stole an inbounds pass and converted the layup as time expired to give Michigan a 41-29 lead at the break.

The Wolverines picked up right where they left off in the second half, increasing the lead to 20 with 10:57 left to play on a free throw by freshman point guard Darius Morris (Los Angeles, Calif./Windward). Sims paced U-M with 10 points in the half, including his fifth three-pointer -- tying a single-game career high -- as the Wolverines hit four treys in the half and finished with 10 in the game. Michigan applied pressure on the defensive end that led to 22 points off turnovers in the second frame and controlled the game offensively, committing only seven turnovers.

Harris tallied eight rebounds and three assists to complement his game-high scoring night of 25 points, while Sims snagged six rebounds, making him the 38th player in U-M history to record 500 rebounds in a career.

The Wolverines improve to 2-0 on the season and travel to Orlando, Fla., for the 2009 Old Spice Classic. Michigan will face Creighton on Thursday (Nov. 26) at noon in the opening round. The game will be broadcast to a national audience on ESPN2 and webcasted on ESPN360.com.

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423