Michigan Turns Up Late Heat to Down Ohio State, 74-62, in Crisler Showdown
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - For 33 minutes, Michigan and Ohio State traded punches like two heavyweights in a rivalry bout that lived up to its billing. But with just under seven minutes to go, the Wolverines found another gear - and the Buckeyes couldn’t keep up. Michigan closed strong in front of its home crowd, pulling away late for a 74-62 win Friday night at Crisler Center.
This one was tight most of the way. There were 12 lead changes, and the margin never stretched beyond two possessions until the final minutes. But when it mattered most, Michigan’s core stepped up - and the defense clamped down.
Lendeborg Leads the Way
Yaxel Lendeborg was the engine for Michigan in this one. The senior forward poured in 18 points - his highest total since mid-December - and filled up the box score with nine rebounds (six of them on the offensive glass), four assists, and three steals. It was a performance that showcased just how much he means to this team on both ends of the floor.
Morez Johnson Jr. added efficient scoring inside, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 12 points. Freshman Trey McKenney also chipped in 12 points and four boards, while Aday Mara continued his consistent stretch with 11 points and six rebounds - his fourth straight game in double figures.
Second-Half Surge
After taking a slim 33-30 lead into the break, Michigan saw its advantage vanish quickly. Ohio State came out firing, opening the half with an 8-0 run in less than 90 seconds to grab a 40-34 lead. But Michigan didn’t flinch.
Johnson broke the drought with a spinning layup, and that sparked an 11-0 Wolverine run to retake control. The Buckeyes answered with back-to-back threes to go up 46-45, but Roddy Gayle Jr. hit a jumper to swing the lead back to Michigan. From there, the Wolverines never trailed again.
A technical free throw from McKenney and a tough finish by L.J. Cason gave Michigan a 50-48 edge. Then Mara calmly knocked down two free throws, and Elliot Cadeau buried a deep three to stretch the lead to 60-51 with 6:30 left - the first three-possession lead of the night.
Lendeborg delivered the dagger two minutes later, slicing through the lane for a floater that pushed the lead to double digits at 66-56. Ohio State called timeout, but the momentum had already shifted for good.
On the ensuing possession, Mara came up with a steal off the inbound and found McKenney for a corner three - Michigan’s third made triple in four attempts. The Wolverines kept the pressure on, and with under a minute left, Lendeborg punctuated the night with a baseline dunk that sealed the win.
First Half: Trading Blows
Michigan wasted no time getting on the board. Cadeau lobbed to Mara for an alley-oop dunk just six seconds into the game, and the Wolverines set the tone early with active hands and energy on both ends. Nimari Burnett knocked down a corner three, and Mara swatted a shot at the rim to preserve an early lead.
Roddy Gayle Jr., facing his former team, made his presence felt off the bench with a block and a key assist to Lendeborg. But Ohio State found its rhythm midway through the half, using a 6-0 burst to take a 20-14 lead.
McKenney ended a three-minute scoring drought with a midrange jumper, and Michigan clawed its way back. Lendeborg hit a corner three, then connected with Gayle for the second alley-oop of the night. The Wolverines hit four straight field goals during a key stretch, capped by a Lendeborg tip-dunk assist to Johnson that gave Michigan a 28-26 lead - its first in nearly 10 minutes.
With the game tied at 30 in the final minute of the half, Mara hit a free throw and Cason scored on a goaltending call to give Michigan a 33-30 lead at the break.
Notes and Numbers
- The win gives Michigan a 13-12 edge over Ohio State since the 2011-12 season, with five wins in the last six meetings. This was the first double-digit win in the rivalry since 2019.
- Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara all reached double figures for the fifth time this season. The trio continues to be the offensive backbone, combining for 39 points per game and accounting for nearly 43% of Michigan’s scoring.
- Michigan has now shot 50% or better from the field in back-to-back games - the 10th time this season they’ve hit that mark. The season-best streak is four.
- Mara blocked at least one shot for the 18th straight game and has now recorded three or more blocks in each of his last four outings. He’s averaging 2.7 blocks per game.
- Michigan’s defense forced 10 steals - the first time Ohio State has allowed double-digit steals since December 2023. It’s the Wolverines’ fourth game this year with 10 or more swipes.
What’s Next
Michigan wraps up its three-game homestand on Tuesday night when No. 7 Nebraska comes to town.
If both teams hold their top-10 rankings, it’ll mark the first top-10 matchup at Crisler Center since March 2021. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will stream live on Peacock.
The Wolverines are heating up at the right time - and with Nebraska looming, they’ll need to keep that fire burning.