Yaxel Lendeborg leads a balanced Wolverines attack with 27 points as Michigan closes strong against its in-state rival and caps a historic Big Ten regular season.
Michigan delivered another statement in its rivalry with Michigan State on Sunday night, pulling away late for a 90–80 victory behind a dominant performance from Yaxel Lendeborg and a balanced offensive effort.
The Wolverines used a strong second half to separate from the Spartans, outscoring Michigan State 48–39 after the break to secure the double-digit win.
Lendeborg led all scorers with 27 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting night. The forward also knocked down five three-pointers and added three assists, helping spark a Michigan offense that shot 49.1% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc.
Michigan had multiple contributors alongside Lendeborg. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 15 points while going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Trey McKenney chipped in 12 points, and Nimari Burnett scored 10 while hitting two three-pointers. Sophomore big man Morez Johnson Jr. added 18 points and seven rebounds, including a late dunk that helped seal the game.
Michigan State kept things tight for much of the night thanks to strong scoring performances from several starters. Jaxon Kohler paced the Spartans with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr. added 22 points and nine assists, while Carson Cooper contributed 19 points.
The teams traded blows throughout the first half, which ended with Michigan holding a narrow 42–41 lead. Michigan State briefly threatened in the second half, but the Wolverines gradually built separation behind their shooting and free-throw efficiency. Michigan finished 26-of-29 at the line, compared to 16-of-20 for the Spartans.
The Wolverines also held a rebounding edge (35–32) and generated 14 points off turnovers, helping them maintain control during the final stretch.
A key moment came late when Michigan extended its lead into double digits, highlighted by Johnson Jr.’s dunk with just over two minutes remaining. From there, the Wolverines calmly closed the game at the free-throw line.
While the rivalry win will be the main headline, it also quietly adds to what has been a historic conference run for Michigan. The victory contributes to the program’s record-setting 19 wins in Big Ten play this season, further cementing the Wolverines’ dominance during the league schedule.
But on this night, the focus was simple: beating their biggest rival and sending out the seniors with a very memorable win.
Behind Lendeborg’s scoring burst and a deep supporting cast, Michigan once again proved too much for Michigan State, sending the Spartans home with an 0-2 record against "Big Brother" this year.