EVANSTON, Ill. (Interstat) — The Michigan Wolverines, the nation’s premier team, faced a stern road test Wednesday night but used a dominant second-half defensive performance to pull away from the Northwestern Wildcats for an 87-75 victory at a sold-out Welsh-Ryan Arena.

In a game that saw Northwestern lead for much of the first half behind a hot-shooting start, Michigan’s depth, size, and defensive adjustments after halftime proved decisive. The Wolverines, now 23-1 overall and continuing their march atop the Big Ten, outscored the Wildcats 52-31 in the second half, turning a nine-point halftime deficit into a comfortable double-digit win.

Northwestern, which fell to 10-15, came out with precision and energy, building a 44-35 lead at the break. Guard Jayden Reid of Westbury, New York, was instrumental in the fast start, scoring 13 of his team-high 20 points before halftime. The Wildcats shot efficiently and protected the ball, committing only three first-half turnovers while Michigan struggled to find an offensive rhythm.

The game’s most important shift occurred as the second half unfolded. Michigan tightened its defense significantly, disrupting Northwestern’s offensive flow and forcing tougher shots. The Wildcats, who shot 44 percent in the first half, were held to 31 points on 10-of-31 shooting after the break. Simultaneously, Michigan’s offense, led by guard LJ Cason of Lakeland, Florida, found its footing. Cason scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half, attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line to fuel the comeback.

Michigan’s formidable frontcourt, a consistent advantage all season, imposed its will as the game progressed. Center Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 freshman from Zaragoza, Spain, was a two-way force with 12 points, seven assists and three blocks. Forward Yaxel Lendeborg of Pennsauken, New Jersey, added 15 points and nine rebounds, while forward Morez Johnson of Riverdale, Illinois, contributed 12 points, three blocks and relentless energy on the glass.

The Wolverines erased the deficit quickly after intermission, tying the game within four minutes. The contest remained tight until a pivotal 12-2 Michigan run midway through the half, sparked by Cason’s driving layup and capped by a Trey McKenney three-pointer from Flint, Michigan, that gave the Wolverines a 70-60 lead with just over eight minutes remaining. Northwestern could not mount a sustained response, as every mini-run was answered by Michigan’s interior scoring or a key defensive stop.

For Northwestern, Reid’s 20 points and three assists led the way. Forward Nick Martinelli of Glenview, Illinois, battled for 18 points, but was hampered by foul trouble in the second half. Forward Arrinten Page of Atlanta, Georgia, added 11 points.

Statistically, Michigan won despite an uncharacteristically low assist total of six and a minus-five turnover margin. They compensated with superior interior play, outscoring Northwestern 42-32 in the paint, blocking eight shots, and grabbing 12 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. The Wolverines also attempted 27 free throws to Northwestern’s 14, a testament to their aggressive downhill play in the second half.

Northwestern’s offensive rating of 99.1 on 76 possessions underscored the defensive clamp Michigan applied after halftime. The Wildcats, who entered the game as 15.5-point underdogs, covered the spread but saw their two-game home winning streak snapped.

The victory extends Michigan’s winning streak to four games since their lone loss to Wisconsin in January. They continue a challenging stretch of their schedule with a marquee non-conference home game against UCLA on Saturday. Northwestern, seeking consistency in a difficult season, hits the road to face Nebraska on Saturday.