Aday Mara Scores 24 Points as No. 2 Michigan Routs Rival Ohio State, 82-61

Sophomore center Aday Mara delivered a career-best 24-point performance to lead the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines to a dominant 82-61 victory over their Big Ten rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in Columbus on Sunday afternoon. The Wolverines secured the win to maintain their top position in the conference standings, fueled by a scorching first-half shooting display and an overwhelming advantage on the glass. The victory marks a significant milestone for Michigan, as it represents Ohio State's largest margin of defeat at home against their rivals since 1976. Michigan utilized a balanced and aggressive offensive strategy from the opening tip, connecting on nine of their ten total three-pointers in the first half alone. Beyond Mara’s scoring outburst, the Wolverines relied heavily on the interior presence of Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg, both of whom registered double-doubles. Johnson tallied 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Lendeborg contributed 14 points and 14 boards. This collective effort allowed Michigan to secure 17 offensive rebounds and finish with a 44-31 total rebounding advantage, effectively neutralizing Ohio State’s second-chance opportunities. Ohio State struggled to maintain offensive consistency throughout the contest, particularly in the second half where they shot a meager 32 percent from the field. Junior guard Bruce Thornton led the Buckeyes with 16 points, and Devin Royal added 15, but their efforts were insufficient to bridge a deficit that grew to as many as 23 points in the closing minutes. The loss marks a setback for Ohio State as they have now dropped two of their last three matchups, falling further behind in the competitive Big Ten landscape. With this win, the Wolverines improve to 22-1 overall and 12-1 in conference play, cementing their status as national championship contenders. They have now won six of the last seven meetings against the Buckeyes, demonstrating a period of sustained dominance in the rivalry. Michigan will look to carry this momentum into Wednesday’s road game against Northwestern, while Ohio State prepares to host USC in an attempt to rebound from the historic loss.