Michigan Triumphs Over Northwestern
In a gripping showdown on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena, No. 2 Michigan overcame a significant deficit to secure an 87-75 win against Northwestern. The Wolverines, who improved their record to 23-1 overall and 13-1 in the Big Ten, were propelled by L.J. Cason’s standout performance, with 13 of his 18 points coming in the critical second half.
Key Performers
Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg contributed significantly, finishing with a double-double of 15 points and a commanding 12 rebounds. Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, and Trey McKenney each added a dozen points to the team’s tally. The Wolverines displayed remarkable resilience, erasing a 16-point deficit during the latter half, making this their ninth consecutive win and 19th victory by ten or more points this season.
Game Highlights
The Wildcats, seeking to break a four-game losing streak, initially surged ahead with an 8-1 run, establishing a 58-42 lead midway through the second period, highlighted by a jumper from Angelo Ciaravino. However, Michigan’s response was swift and decisive; they went on a remarkable 16-2 run that brought them within just two points, with Johnson’s electrifying alley-oop dunk igniting the Michigan fans in attendance.
As the game wound down, Lendeborg clinched the lead for the Wolverines with a layup at 5:51, and Mara extended the margin with an impressive alley-oop assisted by Cason, making it 75-69 with just under five minutes to play.
Overall, Michigan shot an impressive 55% from the field in the second half, contrasting sharply with their earlier struggles, where they managed only 35% shooting in the first frame, trailing 44-35 at halftime. Northwestern’s Jayden Reid topped their scoring with 20 points, while Nick Martinelli struggled with 18 points on a challenging 5-for-22 shooting night, alongside eight rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Michigan will face UCLA at home on Saturday, while Northwestern travels to take on No. 7 Nebraska in their next outing.
