Michigan Defends Belt With 84-68 Victory Over Oakland
| Team | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Golden Grizzlies | 36 | 32 | 68 |
| Michigan Wolverines | 47 | 37 | 84 |
Michigan successfully defended the College Basketball Belt with an 84-68 victory over Oakland at Crisler Center. The Wolverines built a commanding 47-36 halftime lead and maintained control throughout the second half, outscoring the Golden Grizzlies 37-32 after the break to secure the 16-point win.
Chris Fields Jr. led all scorers with 18 points while also contributing 10 rebounds and an assist for Oakland, but his efforts weren't enough to dethrone the belt holders. For Michigan, Trey McKenney paced the scoring attack with 17 points, while Elliot Cadeau facilitated the offense with a game-high 6 assists. J.P. Estrella dominated the glass with 12 rebounds.
With the victory, Michigan retains possession of the lineal championship belt that traces back to the 1949 NCAA champion Kentucky Wildcats. The Wolverines will carry the belt into their next game, where another challenger will have the opportunity to claim it.
Leaders
| Trey McKenney | Points | 17 |
| Elliot Cadeau | Assists | 6 |
| J.P. Estrella | Rebounds | 12 |
| Chris Fields Jr. | Points | 18 |
| Chris Fields Jr. | Assists | 1 |
| Chris Fields Jr. | Rebounds | 10 |
Written by Claude from ESPN's box score for this game.