Michigan’s offense blasts past Toledo in first half, leading to exhibition win, 96-92

In the Michigan men’s basketball team’s second exhibition game against Toledo, the Wolverines’ offense took off. 

Showcasing a fast-paced and 3-point heavy offense in its first exhibition game of the season against Oakland, it was more of the same for Michigan against the Rockets. Although the Wolverines’ offense proceeded to cool down in the second half, nearly costing them the game — they found their footing in the first half, creating a lead that was just large enough to keep for the rest of the game.

Michigan took care of business Friday, downing Toledo 96-92, utilizing an aggressive tempo on offense and tenacious pursuit on defense in the first half. Ultimately the Wolverines struggled to maintain a large lead in the second half its was large enough to finish off the night. 

Despite a strong first half, though, the Wolverines didn’t shoot lights out right away. It took time before Michigan settled into its first game in Crisler Center under new coach Dusty May. 

The Wolverines started 2-12 from the field in the first five minutes while Toledo shot the ball at a 75% clip in the same time. But what kept the Wolverines close before it found a way to launch their offense was attacking the Rockets’ ball handler on defense and forcing turnovers. Michigan acquired seven steals and forced 10 turnovers in the first half alone.

That’s when the Wolverines offense started to separate itself. 

Beginning to limit Toledo’s makes and continuing to force turnovers, Michigan’s offense facilitated the way May intended. The Rockets defenders were stretched thin as the Wolverines’ ball movement created open looks along the perimeter, leading to five made threes in six shots during the next five minutes of the first half. 

Leading the way was freshman guard LJ Cason who shot the ball at a perfect 6-6 from the field, 4-4 from deep and 2-2 from the line in the first half, tallying 18 points. Around Cason, the rest of the Wolverines shot 50% from deep in the first half, out-scoring the Rockets 21 to six from deep and creating a 12 point lead at half.

But Michiagn’s lead almost wasn’t enough. 

Toledo found its own rhythm in the second half and closed the gap to one point with less than three minutes remaining. The Wolverines proceeded to make just two 3-pointers in the second half and allowed the Rockets to make many mid range jumpers to bring their lead down.

But turnovers and offensive mistakes from the first half that continued into the second plagued Toledo as Michiagn’s defense preserved its lead for just long enough to come out on top. 

A night riddled by two stories fell in the right direction for the Wolverines as their first half lead was large enough to capture the win. But with the highs of the first half, also came the lows of the second half. So, when Michigan starts to play games that count towards its record, finishing off every game like it did Friday will actually begin to matter.

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