Wolverines Come Up Just Short in 80–78 Heartbreaker at Rochester Christian

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- The University of Michigan–Dearborn men's basketball team battled to the final buzzer on Jan. 31 but came up on the wrong end of an 80–78 decision against Rochester Christian in a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple momentum swings.

UM-Dearborn trailed 40–32 at halftime after Rochester Christian shot efficiently in the opening half and capitalized on second-chance opportunities. Despite the deficit, the Wolverines stayed within striking distance behind steady perimeter shooting and balanced scoring.

The Wolverines turned up the pressure in the second half, pouring in 46 points and cutting into the lead with a strong offensive rhythm. UM-Dearborn shot 50 percent from beyond the arc for the game, knocking down 11 three-pointers as it chipped away throughout the final 20 minutes.

Jackson Reynolds led the charge for UM-Dearborn, finishing with a team-high 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while playing all 40 minutes. Luc Laketa added 20 points, connecting on six three-pointers, and Thomas Dillard IV and Ali Homayed each chipped in eight points.

Abed Abuzahrah provided a spark off the bench with eight points and two assists, while the Wolverines forced 13 Rochester Christian turnovers and recorded 10 steals to fuel their comeback efforts.

Despite the late push, Rochester Christian held on down the stretch, making key plays in the final minutes to preserve the two-point win.