Aday Mara's career day sparks No. 2 Michigan past Ohio State

Wolverines cruise to 82-61 victory in Columbus

Feb. 8, 2026 at 8:31pm

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Aday Mara scored a career-high 24 points as No. 2 Michigan cruised to an 82-61 victory over Ohio State on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. Mara made 11 of 16 field goal attempts and grabbed six rebounds, while Yaxel Lendeborg had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Wolverines. Michigan took a 4-2 lead and never looked back, leading by as much as 15 points in the second half.

Why it matters

This win keeps Michigan atop the Big Ten standings and extends their best start in school history. The Wolverines have now won eight straight games, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the country.

The details

Michigan dominated the game, winning the battle of the boards 44-31 and outscoring Ohio State 42-20 in the paint. The Wolverines pulled away in the first half with a 1:42 stretch that saw Mara, Nimari Burnett and L.J. Cason hit 3-pointers to turn a 26-24 edge into a 35-26 lead. Michigan extended its lead to as much as 15 points in the second half and never let Ohio State get closer than 11.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
  • Michigan won 74-62 over Ohio State on January 23, 2026 in the first of the home-and-home series.

The players

Aday Mara

A Michigan player who scored a career-high 24 points in the game.

Yaxel Lendeborg

A Michigan player who had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the game.

Bruce Thornton

An Ohio State player who scored 16 points in the game.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

Jake Diebler

The second-year head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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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 game showcases Michigan's dominance in the Big Ten this season, as they continue to solidify their status as one of the top teams in the country. Aday Mara's career performance was a key factor in the Wolverines' convincing victory over their conference rival.