April 6 (UPI) — Michigan Wolverines defenders wielded limbs of steel, transforming the paint into demolition derby with nearly impenetrable obstruction against the UConn Huskies en route to their second men’s basketball national title Monday in Indianapolis.

The Wolverines, who missed their first 10 attempts from 3-point range and started slow offensively, roared in the second half and held the lead for the final 23 minutes of the 69-63 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium. The win gave them their first NCAA title since 1989.

“If you had told me we’d shoot it this poorly and get dominated on the glass and still find a way to win, I don’t know if I would have believed you,” Wolverines coach Dusty May said on the TNT broadcast.

“But this team has just found a way all season.”

The Wolverines (37-3), who were 1-6 in their previous seven national final appearances, became the first Big Ten team to win a championship since Michigan State in 2000. They also became the first national champion with five transfers in their starting lineup.

The Wolverines outshot the Huskies 38% to 31% in what was an ugly offensive showing for both squads. They made just 2 of 15 shots from 3-point range, including an 0 for 8 clip in the first half.

They were out-rebounded 46-39, but held a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint. They also made 25 of 28 free throw attempts, including a streak of 20 consecutive shots from the foul line.

Wolverines junior guard Elliot Cadeau, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scored a game-high 19 points, including a dozen in the second half. Wolverines forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively. Johnson also logged 10 rebounds and two of the Wolverines’ six blocks.

Freshman guard Trey McKenney, who came off the Wolverines’ bench, scored nine points in the second half.

“The unselfishness that everybody has, nobody cared about stats this entire season, nobody cared about nothing but winning,” Cadeau said. “I’m just glad to be a part of that.”

The Wolverines got off to a solid start, with a 7-2 run off the tipoff, but quickly went cold. They missed 8 of 9 attempts during that stretch, allowing the Huskies (34-6) to take momentum. But they eventually rallied with six consecutive points to wrestle the lead away from the Huskies.

Lendeborg gave the Wolverines a 27-25 lead during that span, with 3:06 remaining in the first half, and they never trailed again. The Wolverines carried a 33-29 lead into the break. Their 33 points at halftime were their lowest total for a half in the tournament.

The Huskies never got closer than within four points of the Wolverines in the second half, when they were outscored 36-34. They made just 28.9% of their shots over the final 20 minutes.

Senior forward Alex Karaban, who won titles with the Huskies in 2023 and 2024, totaled 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. logged 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Huskies.

“It’s hard to be upset with your team,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. “We lost the game because we missed. We didn’t make enough shots.”