Michigan Records Statement Win Over Wisconsin
The Michigan Wolverines have been on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament field, but this past week's success has them moving up. Thursday night just added to that, as the Wolverines were able to take down the 11th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, 64-58, at home for a second straight statement win in conference play. Zak Irvin broke out of a slump with 18 points, while Mo Wagner led the way with 21 points in the win. Michigan was coming off their first true road win of the season last week at Indiana. Irvin's night was long overdue, as he had scored a combined 13 points in the previous four games. The Wolverines have now won three in a row, and sit at 7-6 in Big Ten play. Derrick Walton Jr. struggled scoring-wise with just five points, but contributed eight assists and five rebounds. The Badgers have now dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, falling to 10-3 in conference play, in a three-way tie with Maryland and Purdue atop the standings.
Gonzaga Rolls to 27-0
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are well on their way to a perfect regular season, proving that on Thursday night. Despite holding just a seven-point halftime lead, the Bulldogs were able to pull away from San Francisco for a 96-61 rout. The win moves them to 27-0 on the year, as they were lead by Nigel Williams-Goss' 30 points. Gonzaga still holds the longest-current win streak in the nation, expecting a top seed come NCAA tourney time. Przemek Karnowski had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs, who is also 15-0 in the West Coast. The Dons were held to just 23.5 percent shooting in the second half, getting outscored 54-26 after the break in their 10th loss of the year. They have now dropped 11 straight against the top-ranked Bulldogs.
Crosby Reaches 1,000 Points, Lifts Penguins in OT
It was a night to remember for Sidney Crosby on Thursday night, as he became the quickest-active player to reach 1,000 career points with a first-period assist. He then went on to net the game-winner with 21 seconds left in overtime for a 4-3 Penguins' win over the Jets. The two-time MVP has 1,002 career points in 757 career games, as only 11 players reached the milestone quicker in league history. Crosby assisted Chris Kunitz's first-period goal, and added another assist on Phil Kessel's game-tying goal. The 29-year-old also scored his 369th career goal, and now has 64 points on the year, as his team sits with 79 in the standings, good for second in the Metropolitan Division. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 44 shots on the night, helping Pittsburgh improve to 6-0-2 since the All-Star break. Patrik Laine did score his 27th goal of the year in the loss for Winnipeg.
The Michigan Wolverines have been on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament field, but this past week's success has them moving up. Thursday night just added to that, as the Wolverines were able to take down the 11th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, 64-58, at home for a second straight statement win in conference play. Zak Irvin broke out of a slump with 18 points, while Mo Wagner led the way with 21 points in the win. Michigan was coming off their first true road win of the season last week at Indiana. Irvin's night was long overdue, as he had scored a combined 13 points in the previous four games. The Wolverines have now won three in a row, and sit at 7-6 in Big Ten play. Derrick Walton Jr. struggled scoring-wise with just five points, but contributed eight assists and five rebounds. The Badgers have now dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, falling to 10-3 in conference play, in a three-way tie with Maryland and Purdue atop the standings.
Gonzaga Rolls to 27-0
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are well on their way to a perfect regular season, proving that on Thursday night. Despite holding just a seven-point halftime lead, the Bulldogs were able to pull away from San Francisco for a 96-61 rout. The win moves them to 27-0 on the year, as they were lead by Nigel Williams-Goss' 30 points. Gonzaga still holds the longest-current win streak in the nation, expecting a top seed come NCAA tourney time. Przemek Karnowski had 23 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs, who is also 15-0 in the West Coast. The Dons were held to just 23.5 percent shooting in the second half, getting outscored 54-26 after the break in their 10th loss of the year. They have now dropped 11 straight against the top-ranked Bulldogs.
Crosby Reaches 1,000 Points, Lifts Penguins in OT
It was a night to remember for Sidney Crosby on Thursday night, as he became the quickest-active player to reach 1,000 career points with a first-period assist. He then went on to net the game-winner with 21 seconds left in overtime for a 4-3 Penguins' win over the Jets. The two-time MVP has 1,002 career points in 757 career games, as only 11 players reached the milestone quicker in league history. Crosby assisted Chris Kunitz's first-period goal, and added another assist on Phil Kessel's game-tying goal. The 29-year-old also scored his 369th career goal, and now has 64 points on the year, as his team sits with 79 in the standings, good for second in the Metropolitan Division. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 44 shots on the night, helping Pittsburgh improve to 6-0-2 since the All-Star break. Patrik Laine did score his 27th goal of the year in the loss for Winnipeg.
