Pair of late free throws from Burnett carry No. 6 Michigan past TCU, 67-63 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In a game which saw many ups and downs, Nimari Burnett provided closure with a pair of free-throw makes with 18.3 left as the No. 6 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) held off the TCU Horned Frogs (2-2), 67-63 at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, TX, Friday night.
Up until those free throw makes, Burnett had not made a conversion from the charity stripe in the young season, but delivered with ease as the senior finished with eight points in the win for the Wolverines.
Turnovers almost became Michigans achilles heel as it finished with 22, compared to TCUs 11.
Despite the errors, Michigan dominated on the boards with a 44-23 advantage on TCU, led by Morez Johnson Jr.s game-high 12 rebounds.
Senior Yaxel Lendeborg finished with his first double-double of the season for the Wolverines with 14 points, on 4-of-6 from the field and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
With Elliot Cadeau in foul trouble for parts of the game, Roddy Gayle, Jr., stepped up for the Wolverines. The senior came off the bench and finished with a game-high six assists in 29 minutes to keep the Wolverines afloat as the Horned Frogs led for decent chunks in the second half.
TCUs main duo of David Punch and Micah Robinson combined for 15 points, on 4-of-14 from the field. Robinson would be plagued by foul trouble throughout the game as the sophomore was limited to 22 minutes and fouled out with 18.3 seconds left in regulation.
Legendary quarterback Max Duggan, who led TCU to an upset of Michigan in the College Football Playoff national semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31, 2022 sat courtside to watch the festivities.
Both teams return to action on Nov. 19 as the Michigan Wolverines host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, while the Horned Frogs look to get back to their winning ways as the Kansas City Roos come calling.
Old rivals No. 5 Arizona and No. 15 UCLA meet in the Hall of Fame Series
No. 6 Michigan and TCU square off in Fort Worth tonight