No. 20 Michigan holds off pesky Northwestern in overtime

James Hawkins, The Detroit News on Jan 19, 2025

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the second time in four days, the Wolverines found themselves in a Big Ten rock fight that went to overtime.

This time, No. 20 Michigan found a way to do just enough and prevail in an 80-76 grind-it-out victory over Northwestern on Sunday at Crisler Center.

Vlad Goldin had 31 points and eight rebounds and Nimari Burnett scored 13 before fouling out late in overtime for Michigan (14-4, 6-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines shot a season-low 36.1% from the field (22 for 61) but shot 78.4% on free throws (29 for 37), with several clutch ones coming in overtime.

Michigan and Northwestern were both coming off overtime games that were decided on a buzzer-beater. The Wolverines lost on a deep 3-pointer by Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia, while a baseline jumper by Nick Martinelli lifted the Wildcats over Maryland.

Michigan struck first in the extra session on a driving layup by Roddy Gayle Jr. (10 points). Then after a defensive stop, Burnett threw down a dunk for a 69-65 lead with 3:31 to go.

The Wolverines couldn’t make it hold during a costly sequence where Goldin turned the ball over by stepping on the baseline and then fouled Brooks Barnhizer on a 3-point attempt. Barnhizer made all three free throws to tie it at 71 with 1:45 remaining.

Michigan, though, made enough plays to pull it out and avoid the bitter taste of another overtime defeat.

The Wolverines regained the lead with two free throws from Gayle with 1:20 to go. They strung together two defensive stops. Tre Donaldson made two free throws to make it a four-point game with 29.4 seconds left, but it was far from a stress-free finish.

Goldin came down with a crucial defensive rebound off a missed free throw but was assessed a dead ball technical foul. Goldin and Barnhizer each split two free throws to make it a three-point game with 18 seconds left. Northwestern retained possession and Barnhizer split two free throws after being fouled by Gayle to cut the deficit to two.

But that’s as close as the Wildcats would get, as Rubin Jones and Donaldson made four critical free throws in the final 12 seconds to seal it.

Barnhizer finished with 21 points and Martinelli scored 20 for Northwestern (11-7, 2-5), which was held without a field goal in overtime.

After a cold-shooting first half where nothing came easy, Michigan got off to a better start out of the break thanks to Donaldson and Goldin. Donaldson connected with Goldin on an alley-oop slam. Donaldson whipped another pass to Goldin in the post for a layup. The two teamed up to score 12 quick points and put Michigan up, 42-40, with 16:45 left in the second half.

Northwestern’s Jalen Leach (19 points) provided an answer. He knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers. He scored a transition layup through traffic. Just like that, the Wildcats jumped back in front, 48-45.

Michigan briefly regained a one-point lead midway through the half when a 3-pointer from Rubin Jones bounced in, only to give up an open 3-pointer to Barnhizer on the ensuing possession.

Things took a turn when Goldin was hit in the groin area when setting a screen out on the perimeter by Leach. The play was reviewed, and Leach was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game at the 9:23 mark.

Michigan took advantage of the opportunity. After making both technical foul free throws, Goldin drew a shooting foul and made two more free throws for a four-point possession and a 55-54 lead.

The teams continued to slug it out and trade leads during a tight finish. After Michigan pulled even at 61 on a three-point play by Goldin, he came through again with an offensive putback for a 63-61 edge with 2:35 to go.

Northwestern countered with a bucket by Ty Berry to knot it again. After both teams came up empty on their next two possessions, Gayle scored on a driving layup to give Michigan a 65-63 lead with 34 seconds left.

Once again, Northwestern answered. Matthew Nicholson (Clarkston) was fouled on an offensive rebound and made two free throws to tie it at 65 with 14.3 seconds remaining.

With a chance to win it, Michigan came up empty on its final possession when Donaldson’s layup attempt through traffic was off the mark, sending it to overtime.

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