Wolverines roll past Florida Gulf Coast

Junior forward DeShawn Sims wasn’t going to let the No. 24 Michigan men’s basketball team’s 76-59 win over Florida Gulf Coast be a homecoming game for anyone.

The return of former Wolverine guard Reed Baker (2006-07) and Florida Gulf Coast coach Dave Balza (a former Michigan student manager) raised nerves when the Eagles pulled within eight points with just more than five minutes to play.

But Sims had an answer — 20 points and 20 rebounds. Sims became the first Wolverine to score 20 points and grab 20 rebounds since Phil Hubbard had 22 points and 26 rebounds against Detroit in 1977.

Sims said Michigan coach John Beilein told him to “be a warrior” tonight and fight for every rebound.

Sims had 13 rebounds in the the first half, already a career-high. He outmuscled the Eagles with his superior size and drive.

Baker played 36 minutes and had 16 points, four rebounds and six turnovers. The Naples, Fla., native had a former fan club among the 8,279 at Crisler Arena. His baskets drew cheers from a small section.

But Baker’s reunion wasn’t enough to propel his Eagles past the Wolverines.

Michigan (9-2) went into the locker room with a 39-18 lead. The Eagles (4-8) went on a 9:45 scoring drought, shot 21.7 percent and had 12 turnovers in the first half.

Freshman guard Stu Douglass knocked down Michigan’s first points when he drained a 3-pointer and finished with 12 points. After slumping for nearly a month, Douglass has gone 6-for-12 from behind the arc in his last two games.

But Florida Gulf Coast’s threatened late in the second half thanks to an 8-for-12 stretch from behind the arc.

Michigan coach John Beilein brought back sophomore Manny Harris after resting him during the Eagles’ run. Harris is seventh in the Big Ten in minutes per game (32.18).

The Wolverines responded with a monster dunk from Sims and back-to-back 3-pointers from redshirt freshman Laval Lucas-Perry and sophomore Kelvin Grady. Harris assisted on all three baskets and finished with six points and six rebounds.

Beilein described the Eagles’ defense as a “sagging defense,” which prevents the offensive team from driving to the basket. Instead of driving, Michigan attempted a season-high 42 3-pointers and connected on 12.

After two straight games with five turnovers apiece, the Wolverines committed 15 tonight. Florida Gulf Coast had 15 points off turnovers.

Grady played 23 minutes and finished with 14 points, one assist and three turnovers. His play has been more consistent this season. Despite his three turnovers, he took control of the tempo and continued to run the floor as Beilein likes to see.

With the game out of sight for the Eagles, Baker fouled Michigan on consecutive possessions and drew boos from the crowd.

Notes: For the second straight game, redshirt sophomore forward Anthony Wright did not play. After starting the first seven games, Wright has played sparse minutes and averages 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. … No. 24 Michigan is ranked in the AP poll for the first time since Feb. 6, 2006. ... The Wolverines will return to action Dec. 29 when they take on North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. at Crisler Arena.