Kane scores from open play as Bayern Munich goes 6 points clear in Bundesliga

BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored in open play for the first time since November and Bayern Munich stretched its Bundesliga lead to six points by winning at Freiburg 2-0 on Saturday.

Bayern also profited from defending champion Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw in Leipzig, where Florian Wirtz struck the post three times and the visitors were left to rue Edmond Tapsoba’s late own goal.

Borussia Dortmund ended its four-game losing streak across all competitions in its first game since firing coach Nuri Sahin, but there was little celebration. The 10-man team had to defend doggedly to preserve a 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen, which came from two goals down after Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off for Dortmund.

Former Dortmund players Leonardo Bittencourt and Marvin Ducksch scored for Werder Bremen.

Dortmund Under-19s coach Mike Tullberg took interim charge while the club searches for a successor to Sahin.

“When you're 2-0 up at home, you want the win,” said Tullburg, whom Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said will remain in charge for the team's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Kane opened the scoring early with a right-footed shot past Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu after turning inside Philipp Lienhart with a good first touch. It was the England star’s first league goal from open play since Nov. 22, when he also scored two penalties.

Kane had scored only two penalties in the six Bundesliga games since.

But Bayern coach Vincent Kompany pointed to what else Kane brings to the team, including his defensive work.

“He also plays an important role with his character,” Kompany said. “He's going to give his all to be successful this year, and we're using that, too.”

Kim Min-jae got Bayern’s second after the break.

Matthias Ginter pulled one back with a header to a corner in the 69th, but it was too little too late from Freiburg.

Bayern's 48 points after 19 rounds are its best return for nine years. Kompany's team has won its last five Bundesliga games.

“We've often won playing very good football,” Kompany said. “It wasn't our nicest game today, but it's among the nicest wins. This Freiburg team is very strong at home.”

Stuttgart, last season’s runner-up, lost in Mainz 2-0, and Augsburg enjoyed a 2-1 home win over relegation-threatened Heidenheim.

Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated last-placed Bochum 3-0 in the late game.

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Leverkusen's players gahter around goal scorer Patrik Schick to celebrate a goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Leipzig, Germany, on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)

Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany, Saturday Jan. 25, 2025. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)

Dortmund's players celebrate after Bremen's own goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany, Saturday Jan. 25, 2025. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)

Leverkusen's players around Patrik Schick during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Leipzig, Germany, on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)

Munich's Thomas Müller, left, and Freiburg's Philipp Lienhart in action during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium, Freiburg, Germany, Saturday Jan. 25, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Munich's Harry Kane, left, scores during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium, Freiburg, Germany, Saturday Jan. 25, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Munich's Harry Kane, center, celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium, Freiburg, Germany, Saturday Jan. 25, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

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Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)