Darius Morris scores 19 as U-M dismantles Utah

Darius Morris scores 19 as U-M dismantles Utah

Published Dec. 10, 2010 7:55 p.m. ET

By ROD BEARD
The Detroit News

Ann Arbor
-- In its biggest game at Crisler Arena this season, Michigan probably put on its most complete performance.

The Wolverines hustled and scrapped and took advantage of turnovers Friday night and coasted past Utah, 75-64.

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Darius Morris scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 13 of his 17 in the second half, helping U-M (7-2) win its fourth straight. The Wolverines also improved to 6-0 at home.

Utah (6-3) won last season's matchup in Salt Lake City, but dropped to 0-4 at Crisler Arena.

"Before the game, we talked to the team about being a team," coach John Beilein said. "Our team defense in the first half was very, very good. When that happens, we're able to run out and get some easy baskets."

The Wolverines started quickly, building a 21-8 lead at the 8:07 mark.

"As far as the whole team, I thought we shot foul shots well, we shared the ball, we had a good number of assists, with Darius especially," Beilein said.

Jordan Morgan, who drew three offensive fouls, was aggressive inside and helped get both of Utah's top centers in foul trouble. Midway through the half, Jason Washburn (7-feet) and David Foster (7-foot-3) each had two fouls.

"It was huge," Utah coach Jim Boylen said of the foul trouble. "We turned the ball over early and I thought that really hurt us. I thought we played a little tentative and we weren't sharp early and it hurt us."

Utah made 14 first-half turnovers, and U-M turned those into 19 points. Utah had just two turnovers in the second half, but never got the deficit to single digits in the second half.

Morris, who also had 10 assists

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