BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Michigan Wolverines, a seed and one of the nation’s elite teams all season, flexed their considerable depth and firepower to overwhelm the Howard Bison 101-80 in a men’s NCAA Division I tournament first-round game Thursday at KeyBank Center.

From the opening tip, Michigan’s size and athleticism presented problems Howard could not solve over 40 minutes. The Wolverines, who improved to 32-3, shot efficiently from the field and used a balanced offensive attack that saw six players score in double figures. Howard, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament champion, finished its season at 24-11.

The most pivotal stretch of the game came early in the second half, when Michigan transformed a competitive contest into a decisive rout. Leading 50-46 at halftime, the Wolverines opened the final period with a devastating 15-2 run over the first four and a half minutes, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The surge was fueled by sophomore forward Morez Johnson, who scored nine points during the burst, including a three-point play and a thunderous alley-oop finish. His personal run pushed Michigan’s lead to 65-48, and Howard never recovered, unable to cut the deficit below 14 points the rest of the way.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound force from Riverdale, Illinois, was the game’s standout performer. He scored 21 points on efficient shooting, grabbed five rebounds, blocked a shot and was a constant disruptive presence defensively, all in just 25 minutes of action. His interior scoring and energy during the decisive run exemplified Michigan’s physical advantage.

Howard was led by the backcourt duo of Cam Gillus and Bryce Harris, who each scored 21 points. Gillus, a 5-foot-10 guard from Falls Church, Virginia, added five assists in 39 minutes, while Harris played 38 minutes. Forward Cedric Taylor of Atlanta contributed 19 points for the Bison.

Michigan’s offensive execution was a highlight, particularly its work in the paint and from beyond the arc. The Wolverines assisted on a high percentage of their baskets, with point guard Elliot Cadeau of West Orange, New Jersey, directing traffic effectively and dishing out nine assists.

The Wolverines also benefited from a dominant performance by their frontcourt. Alongside Johnson, 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara of Zaragoza, Spain, was a formidable two-way presence, scoring 19 points, handing out six assists and blocking three shots in just 20 minutes. His passing from the high post and rim protection altered numerous Howard attempts.

Guard Nimari Burnett of Chicago scored 15 points, while Roddy Gayle, playing in his hometown of Niagara Falls, added 14 points. Trey McKenney of Flint, Michigan, chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Howard, which had won nine of its last ten games entering the tournament, showed resilience in the first half. The Bison shot well early and traded baskets with the heavily favored Wolverines, trailing by only four at the break after a three-pointer from Gillus just before the halftime buzzer.

However, Michigan’s overwhelming talent and depth proved too much. The Wolverines’ second-half blitz, anchored by Johnson’s interior dominance, highlighted the gap between the teams. Michigan’s defense tightened, forcing tougher shots and converting turnovers into easy transition opportunities.

The victory sends Michigan, a pregame favorite by 29.5 points according to sportsbooks, into the second round where they will look to continue their pursuit of a national title. The Wolverines’ combination of size, skill, and unselfish play makes them a formidable challenge for any opponent. For Howard, the season ends with a conference championship and an NCAA appearance, but with a clear demonstration of the level required to compete with the nation’s top seeds.