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  • No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Keep A Perfect Record On The Road With A 71–68 Win At Iowa

No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Keep A Perfect Record On The Road With A 71–68 Win At Iowa

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — No. 3 Michigan closed out a historic road season with a 71–68 win over Iowa on Thursday night at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena, becoming the first team in program history to finish undefeated away from home.

Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. each scored 16 points to lead the Wolverines (28–2, 18–1 Big Ten). Lendeborg added eight rebounds and scored 11 of his points in the second half, while Johnson shot 6‑for‑9 and matched him with eight boards. Aday Mara contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and Elliot Cadeau added 11 points and nine assists, making a career‑high nine free throws.

Michigan and Iowa (20–10, 10–9) traded blows throughout a game that featured 14 lead changes and eight ties. With the Wolverines clinging to a 68–66 lead in the final seconds, Roddy Gayle Jr. delivered a critical block at the rim, then secured a steal with seven seconds left after a turnover on the inbound. Lendeborg hit two free throws to seal the win.

How The Wolverines Won
Lendeborg opened the scoring with a three, but Michigan endured early turnovers as Iowa built an 11–5 lead. The Wolverines responded with a 7–0 run to take a 14–13 lead, holding the Hawkeyes scoreless for more than three minutes. Johnson’s three gave Michigan a 21–17 edge before Iowa closed the half with a 6–0 run. Mara’s late basket tied the game at 30–30, Michigan’s lowest first‑half output of the season.

Michigan opened the half with a Lendeborg bucket and three‑pointer, followed by five straight points from Johnson and a Gayle steal‑and‑score to take a 42–37 lead. Iowa responded with an 11–1 run to move ahead 46–43 before Michigan regained the lead on free throws from Lendeborg and a Mara jumper.

Johnson scored back‑to‑back baskets to spark a 58–51 advantage with just over seven minutes remaining. Michigan extended the lead to 10 before Iowa countered with an 11–1 run to tie the game at 64 with 1:57 left. Mara beat the shot clock to put Michigan ahead 66–64, and after Iowa tied it again, Cadeau found Mara for an alley‑oop with under a minute to play. Michigan never trailed again.

What’s Next
Michigan returns home Sunday to host No. 8 Michigan State in a top‑10 rivalry matchup on Senior Day. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on CBS.