Michigan Wolverines’ Nimari Burnett sinks long 3-pointer to beat Rutgers 84-82 at final buzzer, one night after MSU player pulled off similar feat
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Michigan guard Nimari Burnett, cener, reacts with hands raised after making a 3-point shot against Rutgers to win the game after the second half on Thursday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)
ANN ARBOR — Nimari Burnett made a long 3-pointer at the buzzer, lifting No. 15 Michigan to an 84-82 win over Rutgers on Thursday night and into a first-place tie in the Big Ten with rival Michigan State.
The Wolverines (22-6, 14-3 Big Ten) rallied after trailing by 12 in the second half.
The Scarlet Knights (14-15, 7-11) went ahead with 12.2 seconds left when Tyson Acuff made two free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer, but they couldn’t make one last stop.
Rutgers, which led by 13 in a 106-point first half, was ahead 74-62 midway through the second.
Michigan went on a 14-2 run to tie it with 4:33 left and made enough shots and stops to win.
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Michigan guard Nimari Burnett reacts after drawing a foul against Rutgers during the second half on Thursday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)
Vladislav Goldin had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Burnett finished with 20 points, Will Tschetter scored 16 and Danny Wolf added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Wolverines.
Rutgers freshman Lathan Sommerville scored 10 of his season-high 17 points in the second half when the highly touted players in his class, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, cooled off. Harper finished with 17 points and Bailey had 13 after both scored 11 in the first half, helping their team score 57 points in 20 minutes.
Michigan State’s Tre Holloman sank a shot from beyond halfcourt for a buzzing-beating 58-55 win at Maryland on Wednesday night.
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Takeaways
Rutgers: Steve Pikiell has his highest-scoring team in nine seasons at the school, but the Scarlet Knights are not playing the type of defense they usually have under their coach.
Michigan: The Wolverines made just five shots beyond the arc for the third straight game, attempting 20-plus each time.
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Key moment
Burnett’s 3-pointer from deep on the left wing won the game just before time expired.
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Key stat
Rutgers shot 68% in the first half.
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- Michigan guard Nimari Burnett, cener, reacts with hands raised after making a 3-point shot against Rutgers to win the game after the second half on Thursday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)
- Michigan guard Nimari Burnett reacts after drawing a foul against Rutgers during the second half on Thursday in Ann Arbor. (AP photo)
Michigan hosts Illinois on Sunday, and Rutgers visits No. 20 Purdue on Tuesday night.