Bufkin scores 20, Michigan holds off Northwestern 85-78
Michigan guard Jett Howard (13) passes as Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson (34) defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Paul Sancya]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Kobe Bufkin scored 20 points, Jett Howard had 16 points and seven assists, and Michigan defeated Northwestern 85-78. There were four ties and seven lead changes in the second half before an 8-0 run by the Wolverines gave them a 68-59 lead near the seven-minute mark. The Wildcats cut their deficit to five points at 72-67 on a Matthew Nicholson layup but Bufkin hit a 3-pointer and Tarris Reed followed with a layup for a 10-point Michigan lead with 2:29 to go. Northwestern got within 79-74 on a layup by Boo Buie with 42 seconds left. Another layup by Buie made it 81-76 before a dunk by Bufkin gave Michigan a seven-point lead with 16 seconds to go.
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Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin (2) drives on Northwestern guard Chase Audige (1) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Paul Sancya
Michigan guard Jett Howard (13) shoots on Northwestern forward Robbie Beran (31) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Paul Sancya