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35m ago

Yaxel Lendeborg’s Poster Dunk Powers Michigan Past Saint Louis to the Sweet 16

The Big Ten Player of the Year finished with 25 points in a 95-72 win that sent No. 1 Michigan to the Sweet 16.

Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Saint Louis Billikens in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with teammates Morez Johnson Jr. #21, Aday Mara #15 and Elliot Cadeau #3 against the Saint Louis Billikens during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Michigan defeated Saint Louis 95-72 to become the first team to reach the Sweet 16 on Saturday.
  • Yaxel Lendeborg led the Wolverines with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, adding six rebounds and hitting 3-of-5 from three.
  • A coast-to-coast poster over Quentin Jones pushed Michigan’s lead to 15 in the second half, a highlight that ClutchPoints said drew added NBA scouting attention.
  • Lendeborg credited Michigan’s second-half surge to physical defense, size and running the fast break after the Billikens trailed 48-39 at halftime.
  • Aday Mara contributed 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and four blocks, while Nimari Burnett added 11 points as Michigan’s frontcourt fueled transition chances.