ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP)—Courtney Sims scored 20 points and Lester Abram added 19 Friday to lead Michigan to an 87-60 victory over Central Michigan in the season opener for both teams.
Dion Harris also had 13 for the Wolverines, who never trailed in the game.
Giordan Watson and Chris Kellermann scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Chippewas, who are coached by former Michigan assistant coach Jay Smith.
Trailing 44-26, Central Michigan opened the second half by forcing four Michigan turnovers and holding the Wolverines to 1-for-7 shooting from the field to pull to within 47-36 with 13:33 remaining. Watson sparked the run with 7 points.
Michigan responded with six straight points to go ahead 53-36. The closest Central Michigan could get the rest of the way was 60-45 with 9:18 left.
There were four ties in the first seven minutes. Michigan broke away from an 11-11 deadlock by scoring 17 of the next 20 points to open up a 28-14 lead. The Wolverines, who made 13 of 18 free throws in the half, later built their largest lead, 41-20.
