Lendeborg’s 25 points power top-seeded Michigan past Saint Louis 95-72 into the Sweet 16

Michigan pulls away after halftime to end Saint Louis’ tournament run

Top-seeded Michigan advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 95-72 win over Saint Louis in the NCAA men’s tournament’s Midwest region, building separation late in the first half and turning the game decisively after the break. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg led the Wolverines with 25 points, including 3-for-5 shooting from three-point range.

Michigan carried a 48-39 lead into halftime, then widened the margin quickly in the second half. The Wolverines’ advantage peaked at 25 points during the final 20 minutes, leaving Saint Louis in chase mode for most of the closing stretch.

Frontcourt production and rim protection shaped the matchup

Michigan’s interior presence was central to the outcome. Center Aday Mara finished with 16 points and filled the stat sheet with five rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots, providing both scoring near the rim and a deterrent for Saint Louis drivers.

Saint Louis’ attack depended heavily on Robbie Avila, the Billikens’ focal point in the half court. Against Michigan’s size, Avila spent extended sequences away from the paint and took a higher share of shots from the perimeter than usual. He finished with nine points on 3-of-10 three-point shooting and added five assists.

How the game tilted: shot profile, spacing and second-half control

The contest increasingly reflected a contrast in shot quality and efficiency. Michigan generated points through a combination of interior finishing and perimeter shooting from its primary scorers, while Saint Louis struggled to convert enough possessions to keep pace once the deficit reached double digits.

• Michigan’s lead grew from nine at halftime to a 25-point high in the second half.
• Lendeborg’s 25 points included three made threes, helping Michigan stretch the floor.
• Mara’s four blocks anchored Michigan’s rim protection and limited clean looks in the lane.
• Avila’s nine points and reliance on perimeter attempts reduced Saint Louis’ inside scoring threat.

Final score: Michigan 95, Saint Louis 72.

What it means in the Midwest bracket

With the win, Michigan continued its tournament run as the Midwest’s No. 1 seed and moved into the Sweet 16. For Saint Louis, the loss ended a season in which the Billikens leaned on Avila’s playmaking and scoring to drive their offense, but could not find enough consistent production against Michigan’s frontcourt size and second-half execution.