Michigan’s preseason All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg was held to just nine points in his second game with the sixth-ranked Wolverines, ending his streak of 23 straight games in double figures. However, it didn’t matter in the end as Michigan still escaped with an 85-84 overtime win over Wake Forest on Tuesday night.
Elliot Cadeau scored 17 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 13.8 seconds left in overtime, as Nate Calmese’s floater in the lane rimmed out at the buzzer.
Aday Mara powered Michigan with a double-double of 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Roddy Gayle Jr. Added 13 points off the bench, while Morez Johnson Jr. Finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Two of four Wolverines in double figures for the game.
Juke Harris led the Demon Deacons with 19 points, and Mekhi Mason added 16. Calmese finished with 11 on 3-of-16 shooting, and Myles Colvin had 13 off the bench.
Michigan led by 13 at halftime but missed its first 12 3-pointers of the second half after tying a school record with 19 triples in its opener against Oakland. Everything went flat during the dry spell, allowing Wake Forest to take a 77-70 lead with Mason's 3-pointer at the 4:53 mark.
Gayle tied the game with a 3-pointer in the final two minutes of regulation before Cadeau’s late heroics in overtime sealed it.
Michigan hits the road to face TCU on Friday night. The Horned Frogs rebounded after losing to New Orleans in the opener.
NCAA hoops updates:
- Rick Pitino reacts to St. John’s opening win
- Ohio State loses point guard commitment
- AJ Dybansta makes debut for BYU
- Jalen Rose on TNT college basketball coverage