After trailing by nine at halftime, and 16 during the second half, the Wolverines outscored Northwestern 52-31 after the break to secure a decisive Big Ten road win.
Michigan flipped the script in the second half and stormed past Northwestern, 87-75, turning a nine-point halftime deficit into a convincing Big Ten road victory.
After trailing 44-35 at the break, and by 16 with 14:22 remaining, the Wolverines dominated the final 10-14 minutes, outscoring the Wildcats 52-31 behind improved defense, rebounding control and balanced scoring. Michigan shot 55.2% in the second half (16-for-29) and held Northwestern to just 30.8% after halftime, including a frigid 1-for-13 from three-point range.
The win was a tale of two halves.
Northwestern controlled much of the opening period behind Nick Martinelli and Jayden Reid's efficient scoring. Martinelli finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Reid scored 20. Arrinten Page added 11 and Tre Singleton chipped in nine. As a team, Northwestern shot 44% in the first half and then built a lead that felt insurmountable into the second half.
But Michigan responded with poise.
L.J. Cason led the Wolverines with 18 points, attacking the rim and going 7-for-9 from the free-throw line. Yaxel Lendeborg anchored the interior with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, including eight defensive boards. Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara each added 12 points, helping Michigan dominate the paint 42-32.
The Wolverines also received a boost from their depth. Michigan’s bench outscored Northwestern’s 33-18, a critical margin as the visitors chipped away at the deficit. An 11-0 run in the second half swung momentum permanently in Michigan’s favor, and the Wolverines eventually pushed their lead to 12 in the closing minutes.
Rebounding proved decisive. Michigan won the battle on the glass 47-30, including 17 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. That extra-possession edge helped offset a modest 28% effort from beyond the arc (8-for-29).
Ball movement was another difference-maker. Michigan recorded 21 assists on 30 made field goals, with Elliot Cadeau dishing out seven helperts to go along with nine points. Though the Wolverines committed 12 turnovers, they largely avoided the defensive lapses that plagued them early.
Northwestern shot a respectable 40% overall and was excellent at the line (13-for-14), but the Wildcats could not generate consistent offense after halftime. Michigan’s length bothered shooters, and the Wildcats finished just 6-for-25 from three-point range.
By the final media timeout, the game had fully shifted. Michigan’s last field goal — a Lendeborg dunk with 2:58 remaining — punctuated a dominant closing stretch in which Northwestern failed to score from the field over the final minutes.
What began as an uphill climb turned into a statement finish. Michigan’s second-half surge, fueled by defense, rebounding and interior scoring, showcased the Wolverines’ resilience and depth as they walked out of Evanston with a hard-earned 87-75 victory. Michigan is now 23-1 overall and 13-1 in the Big Ten. With only six regular season games remaining, the Big Ten title is Michigan's to lose.