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ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Ticker) -- Michigan's talented freshmen obviously don't mind working a little overtime. Freshman Jamal Crawford scored six of his 14 points in the extra period as the Wolverines handed 21st-ranked Illinois its third straight loss, 95-91, in a Big Ten Conference matchup. LaVell Blanchard and Kevin Gaines, both freshmen, scored 22 and 18 points, respectively, for Michigan (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines were playing for the first time since January 8, when they recorded an 88-86 double-overtime triumph at Purdue. "I just think they don't know any better. They're too young to know those are pressure-packed situations," Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe said. "They just play basketball. It's old guys like me who are dying inside." "In overtime, our confidence is growing. Now we have to work on regulation," joked Blanchard. With the score tied, 91-91, Michigan's Josh Asselin blocked a shot by Sergio McClain at one end of the floor and dunked at the other end to put the Wolverines ahead for good. That atoned for a pair of missed free throws with 29 seconds left in regulation that would have put Michigan in front. "It's happened before that I've missed like that. So I try to make up for it in any other shape or form," said Asselin, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Wolverines set a school record by making 37 free throws in 45 attempts. The previous mark of 34 was set last season against Eastern Michigan. "We got some confidence because we were in the bonus with about 11 minutes left. We knew if we could hit our free throws we'd be able to stay in the game," said Michigan forward Brandon Smith. Cory Bradford scored 28 points but missed two shots in the final minute of overtime for the Fighting Illini (9-6, 1-3), who likely will drop out of the national rankings following conference losses to Wisconsin and Purdue. "We're shaken, no question," conceded Illinois coach Lon Kruger. "That comes with losing close games. Now we have to keep working. The only remedy is to get some wins." The Illini used a 6-0 spurt to forge a 74-74 tie, but Asselin's follow shot sparked a 6-0 run by Michigan. Illinois again rallied to tie but could not get off a shot in the final 26 seconds as the contest went to overtime. McClain finished with 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for the Illini, who shot 41 percent (31-of-75) and were only 21-of-26 at the line. "The guys on both sides really battled and made some big-time plays, especially Asselin in the second half. And the guys around him did a good job, too," Kruger said. "I'm proud of our effort. We've played four conference games and all of them have been down to the wire." Michigan scored the game's first six points but an 18-4 burst put Illinois in front. Blanchard scored nine straight points for the Wolverines, who took a 26-25 lead on three free throws by Gaines. The Illini took a 38-34 lead into intermission behind nine points from Marcus Griffin.
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