Robinson, Stauskas the stars as Michigan holds off Iowa 75-67 at Crisler Center

Jan 22, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) and guard Caris LeVert (23) goes for the rebound in the second half at Crisler Arena. Michigan won 75-67. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Even without starting point guard Derrick Walton, and, of course, center Mitch McGary, Michigan withheld  the much bigger Iowa Hawkeyes, 75-67 at Crisler Center Wednesday night..

Nik Stauskas continued to lead the Wolverines offensively, pouring in a career high 26 points, while super sub Spike Albrecht played most of the game for Walton and dished out seven assists along with scoring seven points.

It was Michigan’s eighth straight win,  six coming in the Big Ten. The No. 21 Wolverines will carry a 14-4, 6-0 mark into Saturday’s Big Ten  showdown at No. 3 Michigan State (18-1, 7-0).

Michigan holds its own on the glass

No. 20 Iowa (15-4, 4-2), who came into the game averaging 87 points a game was stymied by Michigan’s  surprising tenacity on the boards .

At 4-2, the Hawkeyes are  by no means out of the conference race, especially considering their massive front line.

But it was  6-6 Glenn Robinson III who scratched and clawed his way to a game-high nine rebounds and 14 points. Jordan Morgan chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds playing the pivot.

Iowa’s 6-9 Aaron White caught fire in the second half finishing the evening with 17 points while Melsahn did most of his damage early, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the opening eight minutes.

Iowa’s Roy Deven Marble, who played his high school ball at Southfield Lathrup, was fairly quiet,  handing out only two assists while scoring 13 points.

Wolverines take 11-point lead

With 14 minutes left in the second stanza, Robinson’s driving slam and Albrecht’s steal energized the Crisler Center crowd  as Michigan stormed to a 54-43 lead.

Iowa’s White returned the favor with a basket and steal of his own,  cutting Michigan’s lead to six with seven minutes left

Then it was Stauskas who appeared to be auditioning for an early entrance into the NBA. The 6-6 sophomore.who was just named Big Ten Player of the Week,  displayed his improving floor game in addition to his three-point touch. Stauskas also has that uncanny ability to find the open man.

Iowa, who had the size advantage up front, scored 24 of it first 34 points in the paint, further showing why the Wolverines miss McGary inside.

Big Ten Standings

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Joel Greer