COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Hunter Dickinson had 22 points and nine rebounds and Eli Brooks scored 17 as No. 3 Michigan held off a late flurry to beat No. 4 Ohio State 92-87 Sunday.
In a matchup of teams aiming for No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, the Wolverines had pulled away and led by nine with 23 seconds left. But a pair of 3-pointers from Duane Washington Jr. around a layup by CJ Walker layup got the Buckeyes within three points with 3 seconds to go.
Brooks sealed the win with a couple of foul shots.
Chaundee Brown Jr. came off the bench to score 15 and Isaiah Livers added 12 for the Wolverines (16-1, 11-1 Big Ten). Michigan won its fifth straight around a three-week break due to COVID-19 issues.
Washington had a career-high 30 points and went 5 for 10 on 3s for Ohio State (18-5, 12-5). E.J. Liddell had 23 to go along with 10 rebounds.
The Wolverines came out launching 3-point shots, hitting 10 of 13 in the first half but held on to just a slim 45-43 lead at the break. Brown was 3 for 3 from long range, and Brooks and Mike Smith each hit two. They cooled off in second half, hitting just 1 for 10.
BIG PICTURE
In an exceptional year for the Big Ten, the two teams are battling for the conference crown with No. 5 Illinois. Ohio State and Michigan both are projected to be No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. This tight, entertaining late-season game should keep both high in the polls and in the spotlight as the tournament approaches.
UP NEXT:
Michigan: Hosts No. 11 Iowa on Thursday.
Ohio State: At Michigan State on Thursday.
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