By Staff
NEW YORK -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team took a monumental step in its program Thursday night (April 1), capturing the 2004 National Invitation Tournament championship by defeating Rutgers 62-55 in front of 16,064 fans at Madison Square Garden. The Wolverines (23-11) withstood a raucous Rutgers crowd and a 15-2 second-half Scarlet Knight run, eventually recapturing the lead and pulling away in the final five minutes with some key defensive stops and clutch free throw shooting.
Sophomore Daniel Horton, who was named the NIT MVP, led Michigan with 14 points, three assists and three steals. Freshman Dion Harris, an all-tournament team selection, also finished in double figures with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
In his final game at U-M, senior Bernard Robinson Jr. poured in nine points to go with five rebounds. In addition to his spectacular all-around performance, Robinson held Rutgers' leading scorer Quincy Douby to just two points on 1-of-13 shooting. Freshman Courtney Sims (Roslindale, Mass./Noble &Greenough School) also had a solid game for the Maize and Blue, netting nine points and pulling down seven boards. Herve Lamizana led Rutgers with game highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Story courtesy the University of Michigan