Michigan Romps, 104-68, Denies Purdue Sole Claim to Big Ten Title

Antoine Joubert scored 30 points, including 12 on three-pointers in the first half, to power Michigan past third-ranked Purdue, 104-68, at Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday and deny the Boilermakers sole possession of the Big Ten Conference championship.

Purdue (24-4 overall, 15-3 in the Big Ten) wound up tied with Indiana for the title.

Joubert, a senior playing his final home game, poured in 20 first-half points, hitting 8 of 12 shots--4 of 6 from three-point range. Reserve guard Jack Kramer’s 16-footer at the buzzer gave the Wolverines (19-11, 10-8) a 48-21 halftime lead.

Michigan opened the second half with a 12-2 run and led by as many as 38 points.

Glenn Rice added 18 points and 8 rebounds for Michigan, while Garde Thompson scored 16 points and Gary Grant added 15.

Melvin McCants scored 11 for Purdue.

Indiana 90, Ohio State 81--Steve Alford scored 22 points in his final home game, and the fourth-ranked Hoosiers claimed a share of the Big Ten title by downing the Buckeyes at Bloomington, Ind.

Purdue receives the conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA tournament because it has gone longer without getting a direct invitation, but Indiana (24-4, 15-3) is a lock to receive an at-large berth.

The Hoosiers erased an eight-point deficit with 10 minutes left. Daryl Thomas started the comeback with two free throws, and his layup tied the score, 71-71. Two free throws by Keith Smart put Indiana ahead to stay, 80-78.

Ricky Calloway, who had 20 points, stole a pass and drove for a layup that gave the Hoosiers an 86-80 lead with 1:29 left.

Dennis Hopson scored 25 points for Ohio State (19-12, 9-9).