ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Oliver Nkamhoua scored 25 points, Dug McDaniel scored a career-high 22 points and Michigan beat UNC Asheville 99-74 in a season-opening matchup on Tuesday night.
Michigan interim coach Phil Martelli sat in for head coach Juwan Howard who continues to recover from his Sept. 15 heart procedure.
Terrance Williams II added 15 points and Alabama graduate transfer Nimari Burnett 13 for the Wolverines. who shot 38 for 67 (56.7%) including 12 for 26 (46.2%) from 3-point range.
McDaniel distributed eight assists, one an approximately 50-foot lob to Nkamhoua which he caught from outside the key and threw down with both hands. With a 67-40 lead, Nkamhoua went on his own 6-0 run wrapping two dunks around a jumper.
The Bulldogs’ Josh Banks scored the first points of the game, which proved to be UNC Asheville’s lone lead 32 seconds into the contest. Burnett made a 3 21 seconds later and Michigan led for the remainder.
Drew Pember scored 19 points for the Bulldogs. Banks added 18 and reserve Evan Johnson scored 12.
Michigan moved its record to 12-0 all-time against Big South Conference opposition.
Western Carolina 106, Dalton State 65
CULLOWHEE — Guard Vonterius Woolbright had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and six other Catamounts had at least eight points in Western Carolina’s season-opening 106-65 win over NAIA opponent Dalton State.
DJ Campbell had 18 points and six rebounds, and Bernard Pelote hit 4 of 6 3-pointers for 14 points and added six rebounds for the Catamounts, who took the lead in the first two minutes of the game and didn’t trail again. WCU made 57.8% of its shots, including 45.8% on 3-pointers.
Matt Compas led the Roadrunners with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
Western Carolina plays at Notre Dame on Saturday.
Appalachian State 87, Oakland City 49
BOONE — Tre’Von Spillers scored 16 points to help Appalachian State defeat Oakland City 87-49 on Tuesday night in a season opener.
Spillers also added seven rebounds for the Mountaineers. Christopher Mantis scored 12 points while shooting 4 for 8 from beyond the arc. Donovan Gregory finished with nine points.
Sam Muller led the way for the Mighty Oaks with 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Hunter Johnson added nine points for Oakland City. Josh Williams also had seven points.
Appalachian State’s next game is Saturday at Northern Illinois.
