A second-half surge, balanced scoring, and gritty rebounding from Michigan powered an impressive 10-point win over Oregon, as the Wolverines tightened up defensively and made the clutch plays when it mattered most.
Michigan turned up the intensity in the second half, closed strong and made the little plays down the stretch to secure an 81–71 win over Oregon. The Wolverines used balance, toughness on the glass, and timely shot-making to pull away during the second 20 minutes.
The Wolverines trailed by one at halftime, 41–40, after a back-and-forth opening 20 minutes finished with Oregon's Wei Lin canning a three at the buzzer to the put the Ducks on top. Oregon’s Sean Stewart was a problem early, finishing with a game-high 22 points on an efficient 10-for-14 shooting while adding eight rebounds. Kwame Evans Jr. put in 18 points and Takai Simpkins had 12 points, which also helped keep the Ducks in control for stretches. Oregon shot 42 percent from the field and even briefly led 47–46 a few minutes into the second half.
From that point on, Michigan asserted itself. The Wolverines outscored Oregon 41–30 after the break, fueled by better defensive discipline, higher energy and improved execution on offense. Michigan finished the game shooting 49% overall and a strong 39% from three-point range (9-for-23), compared to Oregon’s 33% from deep (6-for-18). That perimeter edge proved decisive as the game tightened.
Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 17 points and five assists, consistently getting into the paint and setting the tone late, whether it was with his own scoop shot or passes to open teammates around the rim. Nimari Burnett, who has been cool lately, added 15 points and knocked down three triples, including key shots that helped Michigan create a little separation. Aday Mara continued to show his value inside, scoring 12 points and going 6-for-9 at the free-throw line while battling Oregon’s bigs. Roddy Gayle Jr. chipped in timely minutes full of energy and defensive pressure, and Will Tschetter, who started the second half for foul-plagued Morez Johnson Jr., provided eight points and floor spacing off the bench.
While the scoring was balanced, the underlying story was Michigan’s work on the glass and on the defensive end. The Wolverines won the rebounding battle 36–30 and grabbed 12 offensive boards, generating extra possessions that wore down Oregon. Yaxel Lendeborg didn’t fill the scoring column (six points on 1-for-6 shooting), but he was dominant in the dirty work, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds and anchoring Michigan’s interior presence. It's rare for Yax to have an off night offensively, but he did. Still, he found ways to impact the game. He pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, battled consistently on the defensive end, and helped Michigan control the glass in key moments. Lendeborg’s effort and physicality helped stabilize the Wolverines when his shots weren’t falling, a reminder that his value goes well beyond the box score.
Michigan also did a solid job limiting Oregon’s second-half rhythm. The Ducks shot just 13-for-32 after halftime and struggled to get consistent perimeter looks as the Wolverines tightened rotations. Several late stops — including a key steal in the final minute — helped seal the outcome.
In a game that demanded poise, Michigan showed it. Winning the second half by 11 against a beat-up Oregon squad might not be as impressive as some of Michigan's earlier wins, but getting Ws on the road in the Big Ten is always noteworthy. If the Wolverines can cut down on turnovers, continue to defend, rebound, and get this level of balanced production from Cadeau, Burnett, Mara, and Lendeborg, they’re positioning themselves as a tough out moving forward.