Jan. 27, 2016 USATSI Gallery 
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sophomore Mike Williams scored 17 points and freshman Corey Sanders totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, but Rutgers (6-15, 0-8) dropped a hard-fought 68-57 decision versus Michigan (16-5, 6-2) at the Crisler Center on Wednesday night. The contest was back-and-forth battle throughout, with the visitors unable to answer the Wolverines' effectiveness from behind the arc.
Playing without three injured frontcourt players, Rutgers won the battle on the boards 30-29 and outscored Michigan 26-18 in the paint. The Scarlet Knights shot 44 percent, compared to 40.8 percent for the home squad. The Wolverines made 11 three-pointers, including four from Duncan Robinson, who finished with a game-high 18 points.
Rutgers got the game off to a good start, scoring the first six points. RU pushed its lead to 11-5 after a triple from Williams at the top of the arc.
The Scarlet Knights' defense clamped down on the Wolverines. The home squad started the day just 4-of-17 from the floor (23.5 percent) as Rutgers took a 13-10 lead halfway through the first stanza.
Omari Grier converted a three-point play, and a Bishop Daniels basket brought the visitors' lead to 20-17. The Wolverines responded with an 8-0 run over the next 1:20, forcing a RU timeout.
The Scarlet Knights saw their second scoring drought of over four minutes in the half, which was ended by Williams at the charity stripe. Sanders splashed a triple in the final minute of the frame, and a fade-away basket from Daniels cut the halftime deficit.
UM took a 34-27 lead into the locker room. The Scarlet Knights shot 50 percent in the opening half (11-of-22), while Michigan was just 35.7 percent from the floor (11-of-22).
In the second half, the two squads traded baskets in the early going. Michigan made three-pointers on two straight possessions to stretch their lead to 46-34, but Grier knocked down a triple on the next trip down the floor to counter.
Sanders followed with a highlight-reel play, stealing a pass and finishing a fast break with a dunk to cut the Michigan lead to five at 46-41.
The Wolverines pushed back with a 7-2 spurt to get the lead back to double-digits at 55-45. UM tried to push that advantage, but Rutgers continued to stay within striking distance. RU executed a 6-0 run in a 98 second span to make the tally 61-53 Michigan. The Scarlet Knights would get no closer, however, falling by an 11 point margin.
Next up for the Scarlet Knights is another road trip. Rutgers will play at No. 12/11 Michigan State at 5:15 Sunday. The game will be televised by Big Ten Network.
Postgame Notes
Mike Williams scored 17 points, reaching double figures for a team-best 18th time in his career.
It was his second straight game leading the team with 17 points, as Williams also tallied 17 points last time out vs. No. 9 Iowa.
Williams has led the team in scoring nine times in his career.
Corey Sanders scored 15 points, tallying in double figures for his team-high 15th time this year
Sanders had four steals, tying his previous career-high. Sanders leads all Big Ten freshmen in steals per game. He also tied a career-best with seven rebounds.
Sanders played the full 40 minutes for the first time in his career.
All seven players that saw action for Rutgers scored. It was the second straight game that every RU player to see the court found the scoring column.
Rutgers held Michigan to 68 points, its lowest scoring output in a conference game this season.
Michigan now leads the all-time series 8-0.
