Central Michigan’s Reggie Bass hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to end Michigan’s basketball Thursday night at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor as the Chips upset the Wolverines, 63-61.
UM had final possession and a chance to tie or take the lead, but Kobe Bufkin missed a 3-point try with four seconds left and Hunter Dickinson’s rebound attempt failed. The loss was Michigan’s first against the Chips. since a 78-67 loss on Dec. 15, 2007, and only the third in the series dating back to 1976. (CMU also beat UM on Dec. 3, 2002, with Michigan winning 22 times in the series.)
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Bass’ 3 gave him 16 points on the night, and Jesse Zarzuela led the Chips with 19 points on 8-for-17 shooting. Bufkin led the Wolverines with 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting while Dickinson added 13 points. Freshman Jett Howard played most of the game, racking up 39 minutes, but only scored 12 points; his shot from deep was missed all night, as he only hit three of 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Zarzuela’s 3-pointer with 16:14 left put Central Michigan ahead, 36-35, and the Chippewas played up front for most of the rest of the game. Dug McDaniel tied the game at 60-60 on two free throws with 3:14 left and Dickinson put Wolverines ahead with a free throw with 2:27 left, but Howard missed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left. , opening the door for the Fleas.
Brian Taylor added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists for CMU as the Chippewas held a 44-32 advantage on the boards and pulled off 17 caroms from offensive glass.
The Wolverines won’t have much time to dwell on the upset; they restart Big Ten play on Sunday with a visit to Maryland at 4:30 p.m. Michigan Center, meanwhile, opens MAC play at home on Wednesday against Miami, Ohio.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
