The Michigan Wolverines Secure Victory Over Ohio State
The Michigan Wolverines, currently ranked third nationally, secured an impressive 74-62 victory over Ohio State on Friday night in Ann Arbor. With this win, Michigan improved its record to 18-1, maintaining an 8-1 standing in the Big Ten Conference.
Key Performers
Yaxel Lendeborg led the charge for the Wolverines with a standout performance, contributing 18 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Trey McKenney added 12 points, while Aday Mara provided strong defense with four blocked shots and scored 11 points.
Game Highlights
The game experienced numerous lead changes, with Ohio State’s John Mobley Jr. putting on a strong display early on, scoring 14 of his total 22 points in the first half. The Buckeyes briefly took control in the second half, thanks to a 3-pointer from Mobley and another from Christoph Tilly, giving them a six-point lead and prompting Michigan head coach Dusty May to call a crucial timeout.
“This strategy yielded favorable results for the Wolverines, who ignited an 11-0 scoring run that swung the momentum back in their favor.”
This transformation allowed Michigan to establish a comfortable lead, ultimately sealing their win after a tightly contested start laden with 12 lead changes.
Ohio State’s Contributions
Ohio State’s Tilly concluded the night with 17 points, while Bruce Thornton added 10 points before leaving the game in the final moments due to an ankle injury. Notably, Puff Johnson made his debut for the Buckeyes after recently receiving a court-ordered eligibility waiver. Johnson’s collegiate journey began at North Carolina before a transfer to Penn State.
Tribute to Trey Burke
The game was also marked by a special tribute from Michigan, as they honored former star Trey Burke by retiring his No. 3 jersey, which now hangs prominently in the Crisler Center alongside accolades for other Wolverines legends, including 1989 national champion Glen Rice.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Ohio State will face Penn State at home on Monday, while Michigan is set to host No. 7 Nebraska on Tuesday night.
