Overview
- Michigan built an 18-point first-half lead, saw Michigan State briefly go ahead after the break, then closed on a 28-14 surge to finish the rivalry road win.
- Yaxel Lendeborg led the Wolverines with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau added 17 points and six assists, including a pivotal late three.
- Jeremy Fears Jr. kept the Spartans in it with a career-high 31 points and seven assists as Michigan State’s rally fell short in the final minutes.
- Key differentials favored Michigan: the Wolverines held a 14-6 edge in second-chance points and Michigan State shot just 4-for-23 from three.
- The result ended Michigan’s first winless stretch at Breslin since 2018 and put the Wolverines alone atop the Big Ten at 10-1, with the rematch set for March 8 in Ann Arbor; separately, Michigan State hockey beat Penn State 6-3 as Anthony Romani recorded his first career hat trick before an outdoor game to conclude the series.