Cason leads No. 2 Michigan to 74-72 win over Penn State

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Michigan's Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) and Morez Johnson Jr. (21) go up for a rebound against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec)

Michigan's Elliot Cadeau ,right, attempts to knock the ball away from Penn State's Dominick Stewart (7) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec) — Michigan's Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) and Morez Johnson Jr. (21) go up for a rebound against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Gary M. Baranec)

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6:39 PM on Tuesday, January 6

By TRAVIS JOHNSON

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — L.J. Cason scored 14 points and No. 2 Michigan held on to beat Penn State 74-72 on Tuesday night.

Nimari Burnett and Trey McKenney had 12 points each and Yaxel Lendeborg added 10 for the Wolverines (14-0, 4-0 Big Ten), off to their best start since opening the 2018-19 season 17-0.

Michigan, which led by 15 with 10:41 left, had to survive a late Penn State push that fell short when Freddie Dilione’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Playing in the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time in nearly three years, the Wolverines got an opening layup from Lendeborg, one of just three makes for Michigan in the first four minutes.

Meanwhile, Penn State (9-6, 0-4) had to play without leading scorer Kayden Mingo who suffered an undisclosed injury in practice on Monday. Coach Mike Rhoades said Mingo would be out for a while.

Penn State fed on three turnovers to push its lead to 12-6 with 15:16 to play in the half. Ivan Juric notched nine of the Nittany Lions’ first 12.

Moments later, Lendeborg, who was questionable to play after leaving the team’s last game against USC with a calf injury, sparked an 11-0 Wolverine run.

It coincided with a 1-for-14 shooting stretch from the Nittany Lions.

Elliot Cadeau, McKenney and Cason hit 3-pointers over the final five minutes of the first and the Wolverines pushed their lead to 40-31 at halftime.

McKenney, who was 5 for 7 from the floor, hit back-to-back jumpers including a 3 to give Michigan a 15-point lead.

Juric led the Nittany Lions with 20 points. Before picking up his fourth foul with 5:48 left, Juric hit his second 3-pointer of the game during an 11-0 run that cut Michigan’s lead to three with 7:13 left.

A pair of free throws by Eli Rice free throws cut Michigan’s lead to 73-72 with 1:04 to play.

Dilione finished with 17 points.

UP NEXT

Michigan: Hosts Wisconsin on Saturday.

Penn State: Visits No. 5 Purdue on Saturday.

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