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)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justin Champagnie scored a season-high 20 points and the Washington Wizards continued their recent improvement with a 119-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Alex Sarr added 19 points and CJ McCollum scored 17 for the Wizards, who still have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference (9-23) but have won four out of five for the first time since Feb. 8-16, 2023.
Washington won the rebounding battle 51-33 while holding Brooklyn to a season-low six 3-pointers in 29 attempts (20.7%).
Day’Ron Sharpe, Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams and Drake Powell all had 14 points for Brooklyn (10-22), which has lost three straight following a three-game winning streak.
Washington had a 19-2 advantage in points off turnovers before halftime, and used an 18-4 run that stretched across the first and second quarters to build its lead to 18.
Champagnie’s 3-pointer as the first-quarter buzzer sounded made it 37-24. Will Riley added to the lead with a layup to open the second quarter, then fed AJ Johnson for a 3 a couple possessions later that stretched it to 44-26.
Brooklyn got within nine later in the second and third quarters before Washington stretched its lead to 23 by the end of the third and 28 early in the fourth.
Nets: Start a three-game homestand Sunday against Denver.
Wizards: Play their second of three at home Sunday against Minnesota.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) looks to shoot a basket against Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III, left, is found by Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) is fouled by Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) dunks against Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
