No. 3 Michigan holds off late Iowa rally, beats Hawkeyes 71-68

Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg each score 16 points as Wolverines fend off Hawkeyes' comeback attempt.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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No. 3 Michigan defeated Iowa 71-68 on Thursday night, with Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg scoring 16 points each and Aday Mara making two tiebreaking shots in the final 1:22 to lead the Wolverines to victory. Iowa went on an 11-1 run to tie the game at 64 with under two minutes left, but Mara's baskets put Michigan back in front, and the Wolverines held on despite late chances for the Hawkeyes.

Why it matters

This Big Ten matchup between two ranked teams was a close, hard-fought contest that came down to the final seconds. Michigan's ability to hold off Iowa's late comeback attempt and secure the win keeps the Wolverines in contention for the Big Ten regular season title, while the loss is a setback for the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament hopes.

The details

Michigan shot 50% from the field but committed 12 turnovers that Iowa converted into 16 points. The Wolverines had a 38-25 rebounding edge. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 21 points, but struggled early before hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Hawkeyes a brief lead in the first half.

  • The game was tied at 30 at halftime.
  • Iowa went on an 11-1 run to tie the game at 64 with 1:56 to play.
  • Aday Mara made two tiebreaking shots in the final 1:22 to put Michigan back in front.

The players

Morez Johnson Jr.

A Michigan player who scored 16 points in the game.

Yaxel Lendeborg

A Michigan player who also scored 16 points in the game.

Aday Mara

A Michigan player who made two crucial shots in the final 1:22 to help the Wolverines hold off Iowa's late comeback attempt.

Bennett Stirtz

Iowa's leading scorer this season, who led all scorers with 21 points in the game.

Cam Manyawu

An Iowa player who scored 14 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This close game between two ranked Big Ten teams showcased the competitive nature of the conference and the importance of making timely plays down the stretch to secure a victory. Michigan's ability to hold off Iowa's late comeback attempt demonstrated the Wolverines' resilience and kept them in contention for the Big Ten regular season title, while the loss was a setback for the Hawkeyes' NCAA Tournament aspirations.