Deadspin: No. 16 Michigan Opens Title Defense With Oakland Win

Michigan builds halftime advantage

Michigan led 21-19 with 7:53 left in the first half before an 8-0 run extended its advantage to 29-19. Estrella’s basket capped that stretch with 6:22 remaining before halftime.

Oakland answered with a 10-5 burst, trimming the margin to 34-29, and later came within four at 40-36. Michigan closed the half with seven unanswered points to take a 47-36 lead into the break.

Oakland rallies after halftime

Michigan extended its lead to 62-47 with 11:44 remaining. Oakland then scored eight straight points, cutting the deficit to 62-55 after Warren Marshall’s basket with 8:34 left. The Wolverines responded with the next nine points. Roddy Gayle’s basket made it 71-55 with 6:10 to play, and Oakland did not get within single digits again.

Scoring and rebounding details

Gayle and McKenney each finished with 17 points. Estrella, a transfer from Tennessee, added 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Quinn Costello scored 13 points off the bench.

Chris Fields Jr. led Oakland with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nassim Mashhour scored 16, and reserve Ryder Bradley added 12. Oakland held a 44-42 rebounding edge, including 21 offensive rebounds.

Turnovers and outside shooting

Michigan made 7 of 34 three-point attempts, while Oakland went 6 of 26 from beyond the arc. Oakland committed 15 turnovers, compared with nine for Michigan. The victory gave No. 16 Michigan a successful start to its season as the defending national champion.