ANN ARBOR – With his teammates sidelined early by foul trouble, Derrick Walton Jr. was able to stay on the floor.
Michigan needed it.
Walton, a senior point guard, provided an early spark for the Wolverines, who slugged through an uneven performance for a season-opening 76-58 win over Howard on Friday night at Crisler Center in a regional round game of the 2K Classic. He scored 14 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 20 to lead the Wolverines.
Senior Zak Irvin and junior D.J. Wilson both came to life in the second half.