
After a three game winning streak Michigan rolled into Minnesota on Sunday seeking to boost its 1-6 mark in true road games and NCAA Tournament resume.
But, unfortunately this season, the Wolverines held a second-half lead and could not prevail.
The poor free throw shooting and foul trouble were the differences as Michigan let a golden opportunity slip away in an 83-78 overtime loss at Williams Arena.
Senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. netted 16 points, he also had a chance to send it to double overtime, but the potential tying 3-pointer rimmed out with three seconds left for Michigan (17-10, 7-7 Big Ten), which finished 9-for-18 from the free-throw line, was whistled for 27 fouls and sent Minnesota to the stripe 41 times.
Coach John Beilein said that it was very uncharacteristic for the team to go 9-for-18 from the foul line and that was a big point in the match. He also said that they got a lot of tough breaks in the game.
The coach is glad that the team fought back because they could have given up after some things went their way. But the team stayed in and made enough shots and the coach thinks that Derrick’s shot is in at the buzzer, it was like down.
Michigan had only one last chance after Coffey’s brilliant show, he hit two more free throws to make it a three point game. Walton got a clear look on a 3 point attempt, but it was washed away and Minnesota secured the victory and its first win over Michigan since 22 January 2011.
Walton said that every player on the team loves the moment and the moment was there, so everyone wanted to step into.
Walton said that is pretty much what he could say and could not be any happier for D.J. for hitting those two important shots to even give the team a fighting chance after so much did not go on the team’s way.
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