Just when it seemed Michigan basketball might be running out of gas this season, Tre Donaldson slammed on the accelerator and carried the Wolverines to a much-needed 76-72 win over Penn State on Monday night.

After a humbling 91-64 blowout at the hands of Purdue just three days prior, Michigan (15-5, 7-2 Big Ten) desperately needed a spark, and Donaldson delivered. The sophomore guard scored 21 points, 16 of them in the second half, including seven straight points to close the game and ignite the Crisler Center crowd.

The Wolverines played shorthanded as star center Vlad Goldin, typically a dominant force in the paint, was limited to just 17 minutes after battling an illness. Though he contributed only four points, his effort on both ends of the floor in limited action gave Michigan just enough to hold the fort.

Still, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Wolverines. They started strong, hitting five of their first seven three-point attempts to build an early six-point lead. But the shots cooled and the rebounds disappeared—Michigan was dominated on the boards 20-9 in the first half, giving up 10 second-chance points to the Nittany Lions. The teams entered halftime tied at 35.

Michigan opened the second half with a burst of energy, including a 10-0 run to build a seven-point cushion. But just as it seemed they might take control, a rash of missed layups and lapses allowed Penn State to stick around. Michigan was never able to take the momentum and run away with the game, and Penn State just wouldn’t go away.

The Nittany Lions clawed their way back and went on a 15-3 run late in the second half to take a 72-67 lead with just over two minutes to play. At that point, Michigan fans might have been reaching for their stress balls—or their remotes—but Donaldson had other plans.

A dunk by Roddy Gayle Jr. cut the deficit to three, and a Penn State turnover set up Donaldson for a quick bucket, making it a one-point game with 58 seconds left. Moments later, Danny Wolf swatted a potential Penn State basket, which led to Donaldson hitting a dagger three-pointer to give Michigan a 74-72 lead. Tough defense forced another Penn State miss with the rebound going to Donaldson who was immediately fouled with 4 seconds left. Two free throws from Donaldson sealed the deal, capping off a 9-0 run to end the game.

Michigan shot a solid 48.4% from the field and knocked down 12 crucial three-pointers. They also flipped the script on their season-long turnover woes, committing just nine turnovers while forcing Penn State into 18.

Donaldson led the way with 21 points and seven assists, while Danny Wolf added 11 points and a pivotal block late. Nimari Burnett chipped in 10 points, and the bench provided a key 18-point contribution from Rubin Jones, Sam Walters, and Will Tschetter.

For Michigan, this win was more than just a tally in the W column—it was a much needed statement of resilience. With a tough Big Ten schedule ahead, the Wolverines are going to need more of the energy and leadership Donaldson displayed Monday night.

Michigan has shown they can play like a top-tier team when clicking, but their streaky play leaves fans wondering which version will show up each night. As they gear up for the rest of their Big Ten slate, the Wolverines will look to build on this win and find some consistency before March Madness arrives.

For now, Michigan fans can exhale. At least for one night, the Wolverines reminded everyone why they’re still a team to watch.