Nov. 27, 2009

• Box Score |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  | Video Highlights
• Audio Quotes: Coach John Beilein | DeShawn Sims and Zack Gibson

Site: Orlando, Fla. (Disney's Wide World of Sports -- The Milk House)
Event: Old Spice Classic (Semifinals)
Score: Marquette 79, #15 Michigan 65
Records: U-M (3-1), Marquette (6-0)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 27 -- vs. Alabama or Florida State at Old Spice Classic (Orlando, Fla.), 5 p.m.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Despite 22 points and eight rebounds from junior guard Manny Harris (Detroit, Mich./Redford), the No. 15-ranked University of Michigan men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday afternoon (Nov. 27), falling to Marquette, 79-65, in the first semifinal of the Old Spice Classic at the Milk House on Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

U-M shot just 15 percent (3-of-20) from three-point range, while Marquette shot 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the field and never trailed after the game's opening minute.

With the contest tied, 15-15, Marquette used a 9-0 run to push to a 24-15 lead with 10:43 remaining in the first half. Fifth-year senior forward Zack Gibson (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) ended the U-M drought with a free throw, but Marquette answered with the next four points to take a 12-point lead.

A triple from freshman guard Matt Vogrich (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) ignited a 7-0 burst for the Maize and Blue that cut Marquette's lead to five, 36-31, with four minutes to play in the half.

However, Marquette pulled its lead back out to nine, 44-35, into halftime. The Golden Eagles shot 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes and turned the ball over just twice.

Harris led U-M at the break with nine points; senior forward DeShawn Sims (Detroit, Mich./Pershing) contributed eight points and four rebounds before the intermission. Marquette's Darius Johnson-Odom led all scorers with 12 points.

The Wolverines used a 10-0 run to cut Marquette's lead to just one, 48-47, four minutes into the second half. Harris scored five during the run for the Maize and Blue, which was capped by a trifecta from junior/sophomore guard Laval Lucas-Perry (Flint, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic), who finished with 12 points in the contest.

The Golden Eagles responded with a 10-0 run of their own to regain an 11-point lead, 58-47, with 12:26 to play in the second half.

Gibson scored five straight for U-M to bring the Wolverines back within six, 62-56, but that was as close as U-M came as Marquette answered again with an 8-1 run to take its largest lead to that point, 70-57, with four-and-a-half minutes to play.

Lazar Hayward finished with 22 points and nine rebounds and Jimmy Butler added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Michigan will now play in the third-place game of the Old Spice Classic on Sunday (Nov. 29) against the loser of the Alabama-Florida State semifinal. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPNU.

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423