Sports21 March, 20262 min read
Yaxel Lendeborg scores 25 as Michigan advances to Sweet 16 past Saint Louis
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Lendeborg scored 25 points, capped by a transition dunk, sending Michigan past Saint Louis 95-72. Midwest Region's top seed Michigan advanced to the Sweet 16 after the win.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Lendeborg's Dominant Performance
Yaxel Lendeborg delivered a standout performance with 25 points, highlighted by a highlight-reel transition dunk that showcased his athleticism. He helped propel top-seeded Michigan to a convincing 95-72 victory over ninth-seeded Saint Louis in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Dominican-born forward's dominant performance came with a crucial moment when he bullied his way through two defenders.
“Yaxel Lendeborg scored 25 points, including a highlight-reel transition dunk, as top-seeded Michigan rolled past ninth-seeded Saint Louis 95-72 Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16.”
He finished with a thunderous dunk that extended Michigan's lead to 66-57, providing a significant boost to the Wolverines' momentum. Lendeborg, who transferred to Michigan after two seasons at UAB, played a pivotal role in Michigan's Sweet 16 advancement. He displayed the versatility and skill that have made him a key contributor to the team's success this season.
Michigan's Dominant Team Performance
Michigan's team effort and depth proved overwhelming for Saint Louis, with the Wolverines improving to an impressive 33-3 record. This matches the program's record for victories set during their 2018 Final Four run. The 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara was particularly impactful, contributing 16 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.
He pushed his season blocks total to 96, just one shy of matching Michigan's single-season record set by Roy Tarpley in 1985-86. Morez Johnson Jr. added solid production with 15 points and eight rebounds.
He complemented Lendeborg's scoring prowess and gave Michigan a formidable frontcourt trio. Saint Louis struggled to contain Michigan's size throughout the contest.
Saint Louis's Offensive Woes
Saint Louis's offensive struggles were evident throughout the game as Michigan successfully neutralized the Billikens' primary strength. This was their outside shooting ability. The Wolverines held Saint Louis to just 10-of-32 shooting from three-point range.
“Michigan neutralized Saint Louis's primary offensive weapon, holding the Billikens to 10-of-32 shooting from three-point range. Senior Robbie Avila, who entered the game ranked third among NCAA centers in career three-pointers with 211, finished just 3-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-10 from deep.”
This was a significant departure from the team's typical shooting prowess. Senior Robbie Avila was particularly ineffective, finishing just 3-of-13 from the field including 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.
The Billikens had set a single-season record for wins with their 102-77 first-round victory over Georgia. Their season ended at 29-6 while dropping to 0-6 all-time in second-round games.
Game Flow and Michigan's Adjustment
Michigan seized control of the game with a decisive 9-0 run sparked by Trey McKenney's three-pointer. This came with 9:37 remaining in the first half, and the Wolverines never looked back. They put the contest away midway through the second half with their transition offense and suffocating pressure defense.
Nimari Burnett's defensive highlight came when he intercepted a pass and converted a layup. This extended Michigan's advantage to 73-58 and demonstrated the team's ability to capitalize on turnovers. Lendeborg saw this victory as evidence of Michigan learning from their previous mistakes.
This was particularly after their slow second-half start cost them the Big Ten tournament title. The Wolverines now advance to play the winner of Texas Tech and Alabama in Chicago on Friday. They continue their quest for another deep NCAA Tournament run.