SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's basketball team allowed a double-digit lead slip away in the second half, but the Wolverines stepped on the gas late to pull away from Lawrence Tech for the team's first road win in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference this season Wednesday in Southfield, Mich.
The Wolverines (RV) saw an 11-point lead shrink to one in the second half with 10 minutes to play. From that point it was all UM-Dearborn with Xavier Crofford (SO/Detroit, MI) leading the offensive push. The Wolverines went on a 9-0 run and cruised to a 70-55 win moving the team to 8-5 overall and 3-3 in the WHAC.
Crofford, who scored 14 of his game-high 19 points in the second half, finished 8-of-13 from the field, while adding a team-high seven rebounds. Marcus Williams (SR/Lagos, Nigeria) added 14 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
The Wolverines were able to build their first-half lead on the strength of hustle plays and big shots from deep, including three 3-pointers from Alex Hagel (SO/Macomb, MI), who added another after the break to finish with 12 points.
UM-Dearborn shot 27-of-55 from the field, 8-of-21 from deep and 8-of-15 from the line, while outrebounding the Blue Devils 38-30. UM-Dearborn finished with 13 assists compared to eight turnovers.
The Blue Devils were led by Derek Seidl with 12 points, all coming on 3-pointers. LTU was 22-of-59 from the field, 9-of-29 from behind the 3-point line and 2-of-3 on free throws.
The Wolverines continue road play with a matchup at Concordia University at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.
