(BCSNN | UPI) — Third‑ranked Michigan used a late surge to defeat Ohio State 74–62 on Friday night at Crisler Center, pulling away after 12 lead changes in a game that remained within two possessions until the 6:30 mark of the second half. The night also featured a ceremony honoring program legend Trey Burke, whose No. 3 jersey was raised to the rafters.

Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan (with 18 points), his highest scoring output since posting 29 at Maryland on Dec. 13. He added nine rebounds — including six offensive — along with four assists and three steals. Morez Johnson Jr. and Trey McKenney each scored 12 points, with Johnson going 6‑for‑6 from the field. Aday Mara added 11 points and six rebounds, marking his fourth straight double‑digit performance.

Ohio State opened the second half with a basket to cut Michigan’s lead to 33–32. Lendeborg drew fouls on consecutive possessions but made just one of four free throws, allowing the Buckeyes to move ahead 37–34. An 8–0 OSU run forced a Michigan timeout with 17:31 remaining. Johnson responded with a spinning layup to start an 11–0 Wolverines run that pushed the lead to 45–40 at the 14:57 mark.

Ohio State answered with back‑to‑back three‑pointers to regain the lead at 46–45 before Roddy Gayle Jr. hit a jumper to put Michigan back in front. A McKenney technical free throw and an L.J. Cason off‑balance layup extended the margin to 50–48. Mara added two free throws, and Elliot Cadeau buried a deep three to give Michigan a 60–51 advantage — its first three‑possession lead — with 6:30 left.

Lendeborg converted a floater off a turnover to push the lead to 66–56 with 4:52 remaining, Michigan’s first double‑digit margin. Mara then stole the inbound pass, leading to a McKenney three — the Wolverines’ third made three in four attempts. Michigan scored three more points over the next three minutes, all from beyond the arc, before Lendeborg sealed the win with a baseline dunk in the final minute.

Michigan opened the game with a Cadeau‑to‑Mara lob for a dunk six seconds into the contest. Nimari Burnett added a corner three, and Mara recorded an early block to preserve a 5–4 lead. Gayle provided a spark off the bench with a block against his former team, followed by a Lendeborg jumper that put Michigan ahead 9–6.

Ohio State did not make a three‑pointer until the 10:38 mark, which sparked a 6–0 run to take a 20–14 lead. McKenney ended a nearly three‑minute scoring drought with a jumper, and Lendeborg later hit a corner three with 7:27 left. Michigan made four straight field goals late in the half, capped by a tip‑jam from Johnson assisted by Lendeborg, to take a 28–26 lead. With the score tied at 30, Mara made a free throw and Cason scored on a goaltending call to give Michigan a 33–30 halftime lead.

What’s Next

Michigan concludes its three‑game homestand Tuesday (Jan. 27) against No. 7 Nebraska. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., with streaming on Peacock.