Ohio State-Michigan week has barely begun, but already Michigan has received a loss with at least a bit of scarlet and gray tint.
That happened Sunday night as the 14th-ranked Wolverine basketball team dropped a 63-61 decision to a Charlotte squad coached by former Ohio State assistant Alan Major, who worked with head coach Thad Matta at both Ohio State and Xavier.
From the Associated Press:
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Terrence Williams put back his own miss with 0.4 seconds left, giving Charlotte a stunning 63-61 victory over No. 14 Michigan on Sunday night in the championship game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
Michigan's Mitch McGary tied the game at 61 on a layup with 9 seconds left, but Charlotte quickly pushed the ball up the floor. Williams missed a layup but got his own rebound and scored.
Denzel Ingram had 12 points and Willie Clayton added 10 points and 15 rebounds to lead the 49ers. Pierria Henry chipped in 11 points. Charlotte's Shawn Lester was named to the all-tournament team.
The title was the 49ers (5-1) second early-season tournament win in two seasons. Charlotte won the Great Alaska Shootout last season.
Nik Stauskas, who was named the tournament's most valuable player, finished with 20 points to lead Michigan (4-2). Caris LeVert added 11 points.
Charlotte held about a six-point cushion for most of the second half until Michigan took its first lead of the half -- 47-46 -- on a pair of free throws by LeVert with 6:12 remaining in the game.
But McGary, playing in his fourth game back from a back injury, was forced to the bench with his fourth foul at the 5:26 mark. The 49ers attacked, and immediately went on an 8-2 run to take it back the advantage at 54-49.
McGary returned with the clock under three minutes, and cut the 49ers' lead to 58-55.
Then, after another Charlotte basket Michigan cut it to 60-58 on a 3-pointer by Zak Irvin.
Michigan fouled, and Williams hit 1 of 2 free throws.
The Wolverines came up empty on the next possession, but after a foul this time Williams missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
Spike Albrecht was fouled in a scramble on Michigan's next trip down the floor and hit the first of his free throws to make it 61-59. He missed the second, but a scramble for the rebound ended up in a jump ball and the possession arrow favored Michigan with 11.4 seconds left.
McGary got free on the inbounds pass for a layup, but Charlotte quickly pushed the ball up the floor to set up the final sequence.
Charlotte led 35-30 at halftime, never able to go up by more than eight points despite Michigan shooting just 23 percent from the field.
The scoring the Wolverines did get came mostly from Stauskas'16 first-half points and their 11-for-13 effort from the free throw line.
The 49ers only had three free throw attempts and were slowed down on the offensive end by 10 turnovers and a 22-18 rebounding deficit.
