Homefield — March Madness

Saint LouisNo. 9

MichiganNo. 1

FinalCBS

45.0%

31.3%

3PT

REB

AST

55.7%

47.8%

3PT

REB

AST

1-seeds are 77-6 (92.8%) vs 9-seeds since 1985.

Lendeborg Carves Up Billikens, Michigan Rolls to Sweet 16

Michigan eliminated Saint Louis 95-72, with Yaxel Lendeborg's surgical 25-point performance on 9-of-13 shooting setting a tone the Billikens never had an answer for.

Lendeborg finished with 25 points, six rebounds, and three threes on 69 percent shooting in 32 minutes, and his efficiency was the throughline of the entire game. He attacked mismatches relentlessly, never forced a shot, and converted at the line when Saint Louis sent him there, going 4-of-4.

Aday Mara gave Michigan a second frontcourt problem the Billikens simply could not solve, posting 16 points, five assists, and four blocks while shooting 7-of-12. His ability to function as a distributor out of the high post while also protecting the rim made him genuinely two-way in a way that does not show up cleanly in any single column.

The physical margin was decisive: Michigan out-rebounded Saint Louis 42-27 and collected 11 offensive boards to Saint Louis's five, generating extra possessions throughout the second half that turned a manageable nine-point halftime lead into a 23-point final. Robbie Avila, Saint Louis's primary creator, shot 3-of-13 from the field and 3-of-10 from three, and without him generating clean looks, the Billikens' offense had no reliable counter to Michigan's length.

Game Story

The Michigan Wolverines rolled to a dominant 95-72 victory over the Saint Louis Billikens.•Yaxel Lendeborg was the game's leading scorer with 25 points while also collecting 6 rebounds.•Michigan blew the game open with a 47-33 2nd half.•Michigan was far more efficient, shooting 55.7% compared to just 45.0% for Saint Louis.•Michigan controlled the glass, out-rebounding Saint Louis 42-27.•Michigan protected the rim with 8 blocks.•The Michigan Wolverines rolled to a dominant 95-72 victory over the Saint Louis Billikens.•Yaxel Lendeborg was the game's leading scorer with 25 points while also collecting 6 rebounds.•Michigan blew the game open with a 47-33 2nd half.•Michigan was far more efficient, shooting 55.7% compared to just 45.0% for Saint Louis.•Michigan controlled the glass, out-rebounding Saint Louis 42-27.•Michigan protected the rim with 8 blocks.•