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LeVert, Donnal lead Michigan to 78-68 win over Illinois

Posted at 8:41 AM, Dec 31, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-31 08:41:36-05

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Mark Donnal had 26 points, nine rebounds and three blocks — all career highs — and Caris LeVert scored 22 with a career-best tying 10 assists to help Michigan beat Illinois 78-68 Wednesday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

LeVert scored the first nine points for the Wolverines (11-3), who have won five in a row.

Kendrick Nunn scored 23 points to lead the Illini (8-6). Jalen Coleman-Lands added 13.

Coleman-Lands hit a 3 to close the first half and give Illinois a 37-34 lead at the break.

Donnal scored seven during a 9-2 run to open the second half that put the Wolverines in front for good.

Nunn made a layup to pull Illinois within two with 13:48 left, but Michigan’s Zak Irvin answered with a 3-pointer that sparked a 13-2 spurt and made it 61-48 about four minutes later and held off the Illini thereon.