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Morez Johnson Jr. scored 20 of his career-high 24 points in a record first half and preseason All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 12 points to help No. 7 Michigan beat Oakland 121-78 on Monday night.
The Wolverines had 69 points at halftime, breaking the first-half scoring record of 66 set in 1987 against Eastern Michigan. They showed some mercy in the second half, allowing the school single-game scoring record of 128 points set in 1966 against Purdue.
Michigan finished tied for the fifth-highest total in program history.
Johnson, a transfer from Illinois, had 14 points in the first eight minutes and helped Michigan go on a 20-0 run to take control. The Wolverines didn’t give up, making 71% of their shots in the first half to lead by 31 points at halftime
They shot the lights out – literally – midway through the second half.
Trey McKenney drove onto the court as the Crisler Center lights went black for about a second before making a three-point play to give the team 100 points. The freshman point guard finished with 21 points.
Lendeborg came off the bench in his Michigan debut after transferring from UAB because he had a wrap protecting his injured right hand.
Will Tschetter had 16 points, Nimari Burnett scored 14 and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 11 for the Wolverines.
Oakland’s opener should get the team ready for the next two games against No. 1 Purdue and No. 2 Houston on the road in six days.
Isaac Garrett had 20 points, Tuburu Naivalurua scored 18 and Ziare Wells added 14 for the Golden Grizzlies.
Next
Oakland: At No. 1 Purdue Friday night.
Michigan: Plays Wake Forest on Nov. 11 in Detroit.
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