By LARRY LAGE , AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Charles Matthews scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half to help No. 2 Michigan build a double-digit lead and the Wolverines held on for a 74-63 victory over No. 21 Indiana on Sunday to remain unbeaten.
Jordan Poole also finished with 18 points for the Wolverines (15-0, 4-0 Big Ten), who are a win away from matching the school's best start. They joined No. 8 Michigan State as the two teams without a Big Ten loss four games into the 20-game conference schedule.
Another spirited, poised effort by Michigan. Wolverines are 15-0 -- 29-1 in last 30 games -- after beating Indiana 74-63. Best program start ever is 16-0.
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski)
January 6, 2019 The Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1) had won seven straight since losing at Duke.
Michigan's Zavier Simpson scored 12 points and freshman Brandon Johns had eight points and eight rebounds.
YIKES! @Brandon_Johns0 -- pic.twitter.com/Ecc61UrdiE
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball)
January 6, 2019 Indiana's Juwan Morgan scored 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Romero Langford added 17 points.
When Morgan and Langford were in foul trouble early in the first half, the Wolverines took advantage and gained control of the game for good.
Michigan led 44-29 at halftime and didn't have much trouble keeping a comfortable cushion after halftime in part because Morgan picked up his third and fourth fouls.
Zavier Simpson hitting Romeo Langford with a little hesi-cross and finishing it off with a nice hook shot.Too smooth. pic.twitter.com/DW6DmbB1LO
— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB)
January 6, 2019 BIG PICTURE
Indiana: The Hoosiers' top two players, Langford and Morgan, have to learn how to avoid getting into foul trouble because of their value to the team. Both went to the bench with two fouls early in the game and Morgan was limited even more in the second half because he had two more fouls while trying to defend shots from the perimeter. Indiana will have more depth when center De'Ron Davis and guard Rob Phinisee return from injuries.
Michigan: The Wolverines usually play just two players off the bench, but Johns may have earned more playing time. He had to play because center Jon Teske and his backup, Austin Davis, were in foul trouble while trying to defend Morgan. Johns made the most of the opportunity with season highs in points, rebounds and minutes (13) and hurt the Hoosiers' comeback hopes.
UP NEXT
Indiana: Plays at Maryland (12-3, 3-1) on Friday.
Michigan: Plays at Illinois (4-11, 0-4) on Thursday.
