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Michigan basketball stomps Illinois in second round of Big Ten Tournament day after plane mishap

Wolverines beat Illinois 75-55

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WASHINGTON – Less than 24 hours after the team plane slid off the runway at Willow Run, the Michigan Wolverines rolled past Illinois, 75-55, in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Four Michigan players finished the game with more than 10 points, led by Derrick Walton Jr's 19 points on 7-14 shooting.

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Fellow senior Zak Irvin scored 18 points on 8-14 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 17 points, and D.J. Wilson scored 11 points on just five shots.

Mo Wagner finished with six points, five steals, three assists and four rebounds.

The Wolverines shot just 36 percent from beyond the arc but still had no trouble as they never trailed the Fighting Illini.

Michigan played the game in their practice jerseys because the game jerseys are being kept on the damaged plane during the investigation.

PHOTOS: Michigan basketball plays game in practice jerseys

Michigan will play the Big Ten's No. 1 seed Purdue Friday in the third round.

Michigan basketball plane slides off runway

The team is "a little banged up and shook up" after its plane slid off the runway Wednesday at Willow Run airport, according to ESPN's Andy Katz.

"All OK!" head coach John Beilein reportedly texted Katz. "A few guys a little banged up and shook up. Blessed we did not get up in the air."

Michigan basketball tweeted that the team and everyone in the travel party is safe after the crash.

After the plane tried to take off in high winds, takeoff was aborted and, after strong braking, the plane slid off the runway, the university said.

The plane was extensively damaged, but everyone on board exited the plane safely, the university announced.

Michigan's basketball team and school band members were on the plane, officials said.

The Airport Authority provided the following statement:

"Shortly before 3 p.m. today, a charter flight aborted takeoff at Willow Run Airport and went off the end of Runway 23L. The Airport Authority Public Safety and Operations teams responded. There were no injuries to the seven crew members and 109 passengers, including members of the University of Michigan men’s basketball team. The MD83 was operated by Ameristar Charters. As a result of this incident, Willow Run Airport remains closed at this time."


About the Author
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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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