Lendeborg dominates as Michigan storms past Alabama 90-77 to reach Elite Eight

CHICAGO: Yaxel Lendeborg delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists to propel top-seeded Michigan Wolverines past fourth-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide 90-77 in Friday’s Midwest Region semifinal. The Wolverines pulled away with a 43-28 second-half surge, overturning an early nine-point deficit and asserting control with a mix of high-IQ plays and long-range shooting.

“Once we started slowing the game down, being more physical and dominating the paint, we started finding more success,” Lendeborg said. His alertness on both ends, including a fastbreak assist to Nimari Burnett, helped Michigan ignite an 18-6 run early in the half that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney each added 17 points, while Roddy Gayle Jr. contributed 16, giving Michigan balanced scoring across the roster.

Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. led all scorers with 35 points, shooting 6-for-14 from beyond the arc, but the Crimson Tide could not match Michigan’s efficiency, hitting 48.1% of their shots from three compared to Alabama’s 29.8%. Michigan (34-3) now advances to the Elite Eight to face the winner of the regional semifinal between Iowa State Cyclones and Tennessee Volunteers, marking its first regional final appearance since 2021.