ANN ARBOR, Mich. _  The Michigan Wolverines had the hot hand from long-range Tuesday night and handed the University of Central Arkansas Bears a 97-53 loss at the Crisler Center.

    The Big Ten Wolverines (8-3) connected a season-high 19 times from three-point range, including four each from Zak Irvin, Duncan Robinson and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. Couple that with 51.6 percent shooting overall and it gave the Wolverines their third win in their past four games, with the only loss at No. 2 UCLA last Saturday. Michigan hit a then-season high 14 three-pointers in that loss.

    Michigan attempted 45 three-pointers and just 17 two-point shots and also forced 14 turnovers, while giving up the ball just six times. Nine different players made a three-pointer for the Wolverines.

    "They have a lot of different guys who can shoot from the perimeter,' said UCA head coach Russ Pennell. "More than most any team you'll see. Most teams have a couple of guys you don't have to guard from out there. Michigan is not that way. When you play them, they can stretch you out. And just up close and personal, that was even more impressive than it was on film.'

    The Wolverines nailed nine threes in the first half and shot 55.2 percent overall and ran out to a 49-20 lead over the Bears. UCA shot just 36 percent overall and made its only three-point attempt by junior Jordan Howard, his 50th consecutive game to hit from beyond the arc. The Bears were within 19-11 with 11:45 to play but the Wolverines outscored them 30-9 the rest of the way to earn their 29-point lead at the break.

    The Wolverines did not cool off in the second half, and in fact got even better, hitting six more three-pointers in the opening nine minutes of the half to push their lead to as much as 44 points. UCA, playing a variety of lineups for most of the second half, shot 48.3 percent after halftime, including 3 of 8 from three-point range.

    Howard finished with 14 points for the Bears, the 64th time in 67 career games to score in double figures. Senior guard Derreck Brooks added 12 points and added a team-high 9 rebounds. No other UCA player had more than six points, although freshman Aaron Weidenaar was 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. 

    For Michigan, Moritz Wagner led the way with 18 points, while Irvin added 16, Abdur-Rahkman 14 and Robinson 12, all from three-point range. The Wolverines finished with 22 assists. 

    UCA (1-9) returns home for an in-state matchup with Arkansas State at 7 p.m. Friday at the Farris Center.