Michigan Pulls Ahead in Exciting Match Against UCLA
ANN ARBOR, MICH. — Yaxel Lendeborg led the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines to an impressive 86-56 victory over UCLA on Saturday, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds. This win positions Michigan to potentially reclaim the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2013.
Michigan’s path to the top spot was facilitated by No. 1 Arizona’s recent loss to No. 9 Kansas, marking the Wolverines’ 10th consecutive win and advancing their record to 24-1 overall and 14-1 in the Big Ten.
UCLA, with a record of 17-8 and 9-5 in conference play, had been on a strong run, winning five of their last six games before facing Michigan.
The game shifted significantly early in the second half, as Michigan made nine consecutive shots, including two three-pointers from Lendeborg, which turned a competitive match into a rout.
Under Coach Dusty May, Michigan has rebounded from a disappointing season two years ago, where they recorded a school-record 24 losses. Utilizing the transfer portal effectively, May has assembled a deep and competitive roster that boasts 24 wins in 25 games—an unprecedented achievement for the program.
The Wolverines are targeting the top national ranking for the first time since January 28, 2013, when they concluded the season with a runner-up finish to Louisville, led by coach Rick Pitino.
In addition to Lendeborg’s contributions, Morez Johnson added 15 points, LJ Cason scored 13, and Nimari Burnett contributed 12 points. Aday Mara also showed a strong performance against his former team, posting nine points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
For UCLA, Trent Perry was a standout in the first half, netting 11 of his 14 points before halftime, while Tyler Bilodeau added 10 points during the same period, keeping the Bruins within just two points at that stage of the game.
