Wagner, No. 19 Michigan return with 80-69 win over Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Franz Wagner had 20 points and No. 19 Michigan scored 10 straight points early in the second half to pull away from Nebraska in an 80-69 victory Friday.

Michigan (7-0, 2-0 Big Ten) started slow in its first game since Dec. 13 but stunned Nebraska (4-5, 0-2) with the two-minute flurry that began with Isaiah Livers' 3-pointer. Wagner close it with a 25-footer that put the Wolverines up 53-41 with 14:38 remaining.

Nebraska put together an 11-2 run, highlighted by a steal and breakaway dunk by Trey McGowens, and cut the Michigan lead to 64-60 on McGowens’ free throws with 6:20 left.

The Wolverines countered with a 7-2 spurt, going up 71-62 on Eli Brooks’ fast-break layup with 4:45 remaining. Nebraska didn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

Playing after a long delay due to coronavirus concerns, Michigan struggled to get on track from long distance in the first half, hitting just 4 of 17 3-point attempts. Nebraska led for much of the half behind 21 points from Teddy Allen, who finished with a career high 25.

Livers had 17 points for the Wolverines. Hunter Dickinson had 13 points and 15 rebounds, Chaundee Brown, Jr. had 13 points and Mike Smith had 10 points

Dalano Banton had 17 points for Nebraska and McGowens had 15 points.

BIG PICTURE

Michigan: This is the third consecutive season Michigan has begun 7-0. Last year’s Wolverines opened 7-0 before losing to No. 1 Louisville. In 2018-2019, Michigan started the year 17-0, a school record.

Nebraska: Lost its 11th straight game to a ranked team. The Huskers' last win over a ranked team was a 69-61 win over No. 21 Maryland in the 2019 Big Ten Tournament. Its last home win over a ranked team was against No. 23 Michigan in 2018.

UP NEXT

Michigan is at Maryland on Thursday.

Nebraska is at Ohio State on Wednesday.