Michigan allows 4-point play in final seconds to drop heartbreaker to Oklahoma

Dusty May will want to avoid those nail-biting finishes, and Wednesday’s result was the latest example why. Michigan blew an 11-point lead midway through the second half and lost in devastating fashion to undefeated Oklahoma.

Final: Oklahoma 87, Michigan 86

Record: 8-3

MVP: Vladislav Goldin

Unsung hero: Rubin Jones

arch nemesis: Jeremiah fears

Top highlight: Danny Wolf dribbles behind his back in traffic, keeping the ball in his right hand throughout, to split defenders and get to the basket for a layup for Michigan’s second basket.

Rhyme time: Winless in Jumpman, what can you say? // Up three late, give up a four point game

Despite blowing the lead and trailing by four late, Michigan led 86-83 with the ball and just 30 seconds left. A turnover gave Oklahoma a chance, and freshman Jeremiah Fears hit a 3 and drew a foul. His free throw with 11 seconds left proved to be the game-winner as Michigan came up short on its final possession.

Michigan is 0-3 in the Jumpman Invitational.

This was the Wolverines’ last shot at a quality non-conference win, and for most of the night it looked like they were going to get it. They limited their turnovers (10) and bounced back well, fixing two issues that had plagued them all season.

However, they made just 4 of 28 3-pointers, making Tre Donaldson’s decision to try one in the final seconds all the more curious. Danny Wolf got the offensive rebound, but his putback attempt at the buzzer fell well short.

Michigan’s inability to put the no. 14 Oklahoma (11-0) away — a trend this season that May has lamented — was the difference.

Goldin stayed hot, scoring 26 points (on 10-of-12 shooting) and 10 rebounds. Wolf started strong and finished with 15 points and 10 boards. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 15 points and Donaldson had 14.

Fears, wearing the Jumpman logo on the headband on his head, scored 30 points. He made three of Oklahoma’s 12 3s (on 25 attempts).

Michigan, despite freezing outdoor shooting, led by eight early. Oklahoma scored the first five of the second half to tie the game. Michigan responded with an 11-0 burst. Michigan continued to make 3s, starting 2 for 21, and Oklahoma cut the margin to five with 13 minutes left.

Donaldson ended a run of 10 straight misses from deep, shot-faking his defender to break free, only for Will Tschetter to be called for an elbow to the face under the hoop. Jones, who had a strong all-around game, hit a 3 and Donaldson burst to the rim to cap a 7-0 run that made it 68-57 midway through the half.

A few minutes later, a corner 3 got Oklahoma within two. Michigan responded with the Wolf-Goldin two-man action; Goldin converted an and-one. A Michigan turnover led to a fast-break dunk, part of a 9-0 run that gave Oklahoma a 78-74 lead with 5:15 left.

That was the deficit when Nimari Burnett crashed the offensive boards and banked in a basket, then drew an offensive foul on the other end. Wolf fed Goldin for a layup to tie the game with just over two minutes left. Michigan forced a turnover and Burnett was fouled at the basket, disqualifying Jalon Moore (16 points). The free throws put Michigan back on top.

After a Fears free throw, Michigan hit the offensive glass again; Goldin was fouled and made both to bring Michigan within three with 1:14 left. The teams traded turnovers, giving Oklahoma the ball with a chance to tie the game. Fear made one better. He can a 3 and was fouled by Gayle — allegedly — making a free throw with 11 seconds left to give Oklahoma a one-point lead.

Michigan had a timeout but didn’t use it. Donaldson fed the ball to Wolf, who passed back to Donaldson for a 3. It hit the back of the rim, and Wolf’s putback attempt at the buzzer was not close.

Michigan will try to regroup with two non-major programs visiting the Crisler Center before the new year.

Michigan’s two straight live-ball turnovers led to Oklahoma turnovers and a 10-6 Sooners lead. Wolf’s 3 put Michigan on top. He and Goldin combined for 15 points as Michigan took a 21-13 lead. Michigan’s only problem early was defending the 3-point line. The Sooners made 6 of their first 7 from deep to stay close.

Goldin and Wolf remained hot; they had 27 when Michigan led 36-30 with four minutes left in the half. Oklahoma cooled off from 3, Michigan went 2 of 14 from deep and the Wolverines led 43-38 at halftime.

They blew it quickly only to see the lead change a few times before the final buzzer sounded inside the Spectrum Center on a disappointing loss.

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