ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Evan Smotrycz paced all five Michigan starters into double figures Thursday and the No. 19 Wolverines finally pulled away to defeat Bradley 77-66.
The Braves fought Michigan to a standoff through the early stages of the second half and still trailed by only five midway through the final period.
Michigan closed the game on an 18-12 run to win its fifth straight and advance to 10-2 for the season. The Wolverines will next play Dec. 29 when they open their Big Ten season at home against Penn State.
Smotrycz scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 points, Jordan Morgan contributed 15, Trey Burke had 12 and Zack Novak scored 11.
Walt Lemon led Bradley with 16 points. The Braves (5-6) have lost three in a row.
