Morez Johnson Jr., No. 2 Michigan manhandle McNeese

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th December, 21:31 2025

NCAA Basketball: McNeese State at Michigan

Dec 29, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) dribbles in the first half against the McNeese Cowboys at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Morez Johnson Jr. matched his career high with 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as No. 2 Michigan cruised to a 112-71 win over McNeese on Monday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Yaxel Lendeborg added 16 points and eight rebounds for Michigan (12-0). Aday Mara finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, Trey McKenney also logged 13 points, Nimari Burnett contributed 12 points and Roddy Gayle Jr. had 10.

Garwey Dual scored 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting to lead McNeese (10-3). Larry Johnson finished with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds, Tyshawn Archie scored 12 and DJ Richards Jr. put up 11.

Michigan shot 58.7% (37 of 63) overall and 30.4% (7 of 23) from 3-point range. McNeese hit 29.5% (23 of 78) from the field and 23.5% (8 of 34) from deep.

Michigan raced to a 60-29 halftime lead.

The Wolverines set the tone by scoring the first seven points in the opening minute. Morez Johnson Jr. started the scoring with a jump shot, Lendeborg added a driving layup and Burnett knocked down a 3-pointer.

Dual made a jump shot for McNeese's first basket with 18:24 left in the half.

Michigan grabbed its first double-digit lead with 15:55 remaining in the half. Morez Johnson Jr. stepped to the free-throw line and made both of his attempts to put the Wolverines ahead 15-5.

McNeese pulled within 42-25 when Larry Johnson made a driving layup with 4:51 left before the break.

The Wolverines responded with an 11-0 run to seize a 53-25 advantage with 2:17 remaining before intermission. Mara made two free throws to start the spree, which included a layup by and two free throws by Gayle, another layup by Mara and a 3-pointer by L.J. Cason.

The rout continued as Michigan opened the second half with a 16-0 run. Mara and Burnett opened the surge with back-to-back layups, and Morez Johnson Jr. added a dunk moments later.

Elliot Cadeau made a 3-pointer and 1 of 2 free-throw attempts to punctuate the run, which gave the Wolverines a 76-29 lead with 16:49 to go.

Burnett dunked to put Michigan over the 100-point mark with 5:57 remaining.

--Field Level Media

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