IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Daniel Horton returned from a six-game absence and made an immediate impact for Michigan.
Returning to the court after missing six games with a knee injury, Horton scored 13 points, handed out two assists and provided key leadership down the stretch to help Michigan beat No. 14 Iowa 65-63 Wednesday night.
Horton didn't start, but entered the game midway through the first half and promptly hit his first shot, a nifty turnaround jumper from the top of the key.
"I just wanted to come in and contribute, and I guess I came in and ... gave the team a shot in the arm, but that wasn't my goal," said Horton, who strained a knee in practice Dec. 5.
"It felt good to get a big win on the road and to get back out there and play. It's a good feeling right now for everybody."
The victory is the third straight for the Wolverines (9-5, 1-0 Big Ten) and snapped the Hawkeyes' nine game winning streak -- but it wasn't easy.
The Wolverines led most of the way but had to fight off a fierce second-half rally to beat Iowa for the third time in the past four games.
The Hawkeyes (12-2, 0-1) squandered several chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute.
Pierre Pierce, who led Iowa with 15 points, was fouled by Dion Harris on a 3-point attempt with 1.6 seconds to go, but missed the first of three free throws.
Greg Brunner, Adam Haluska and Jeff Horner each finished with 14, but the Hawkeyes struggled all night with shooting, rebounding and capitalizing on Michigan's 25 turnovers.
Iowa entered the game as one of the league's top shooting teams, but hit just 37.3 percent from the floor, 25 percent from behind the 3-point line and missed several free throws down the stretch.
"Obviously a frustrating way to start our Big Ten season," said Iowa coach Steve Alford. "It's my responsibility to make sure the team was ready, and they obviously weren't ready. I take full responsibility for that."
The Wolverines were led by Brent Petway, who scored 14 points and blocked four shots. Harris added 12 points, including three early 3-pointers that helped Michigan build a big first half lead. Courtney Sims added 10 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
After fighting back from a 44-30 halftime deficit, Horner hit a 3-pointer that tied the score at 59, the first tie since the 10:04 mark in the first half. Moments later, Horner hit another 3-pointer to cut Michigan's lead to 63-62 with 32.4 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, Iowa forced a turnover when Sims failed to inbound the ball in time. But the Hawkeyes wasted the opportunity when Brunner missed a short pull-up jumper.
Wolverine guard John Andrews picked up the loose ball, was fouled, and hit both free throws to put Michigan up 65-62 with 25.9 seconds to go.
On Iowa's next trip down the floor, Brunner hurried and missed a 3-pointer. Horton grabbed the rebound, was fouled, but missed both free throws, setting up one last chance for the Hawkeyes.
"I can't say enough about the toughness that our kids showed, especially down the stretch," said Michigan coach Tommy Amaker, who has lost three key players to injury this season.
