The Michigan Wolverines outlasted the Oregon State Beavers 98-93 in preseason play at the Crisler Center on Friday. Michigan was powered by a game-high 27 points and eight assists from guard Elliot Cadeau in the exhibition win.
Here’s the recap, highlights and stats.
FIRST HALF
Michigan got the scoring started, as guard Ricky Liburd snatched a steal and finished a dunk on the other end. Oregon State responded with a 7-0 run until Liburd found center Moustapha Thiam for a slam to cut the deficit to 7-4.
The following minutes were owned by guard Trey McKenney, who knocked down a three-pointer and a turnaround jumper, before Thiam tossed a behind-the-back pass to him for a layup. It was tied 13-13 with 13:05 remaining in the first half.
Thiam made an impact on both ends of the floor — recording six straight points and a block that led to a three-pointer from forward Quinn Costello. Michigan took a 24-22 lead as Cadeau found forward J.P. Estrella for an alley-oop.
The Wolverines continued to seize momentum by going on a 13-0 run to take a 37-25 lead with 4:32 to go in the half. During the run, Estrella and Thiam drilled three-pointers, and guard Kenny Noland slipped into the lane for a pair of layups.
However, Oregon State answered with back-to-back three-pointers to end the half and trim the deficit to 45-42. Michigan held an edge in points off turnovers (20-2), points in the paint (24-10) and fast-break points (6-2) at halftime.
SECOND HALF
In the early stages of the second half, Cadeau started to put his fingerprints all over the game by scoring or assisting on 12 straight points. Cadeau scored back-to-back buckets to put Michigan up 54-53 with 15:15 to go.
But every time Michigan put a run together, Oregon State instantly would respond. The Beavers were led by forward Legend Smiley and guard Deshawn Gory, who made three consecutive shots to give Oregon State a 63-61 lead.
The Wolverines regained control with a go-ahead three-pointer from McKenney with 11:10 left, and Costello extended the lead to 72-67 with a triple of his own. Just moments later, McKenney finished a layup to put Michigan up 74-71.
Cadeau continued his second half takeover by knocking down a go-ahead three-pointer, followed by an alley-oop to Thiam. On the next possession, Cadeau snuck into the lane and scored a layup to take an 87-81 lead with 3:51 left.
Oregon State wouldn’t go down without a fight, but McKenney drilled a mid-range jumper and Cadeau finished a layup to take a 91-88 lead with 1:30 to go. Cadeau also made four straight free throws to give Michigan some breathing room.
The Wolverines eventually pulled out a 98-93 win behind Cadeau’s 27 points.
MICHIGAN STAT LEADERS
- G Elliot Cadeau: 27 points, 8 assists
- C Moustapha Thiam: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
- G Trey McKenney: 18 points, 2 rebounds
- F Quinn Costello: 10 points
- F J.P. Estrella: 9 points, 7 rebounds
- G Kenny Noland: 6 points, 3 assists
OREGON STATE STAT LEADERS
- G Deshawn Gory: 20 points, 8 rebounds
- F Legend Smiley: 17 points, 3 rebounds
- G Josiah Lake: 13 points, 4 rebounds
- G Chris Johnson: 13 points
UP NEXT
Michigan will wrap up the preseason against the Houston Cougars on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. in Grand Rapids.