Photo: Jayne Karmin ~ IMAGN IMAGES
EAST LANSING, Feb. 5, 2025 ~ #9 Michigan State basketball (18-4) could not convert on a senior guard Jaden Akins three point attempt during the Spartans final possession, losing to UCLA 63-61 at Pauley Pavilion Tuesday night.
UCLA sophomore guard Eric Dailey Jr. buried a contested floater off the backboard with seven seconds left in the game to push the Bruins to victory.
MSU turned the ball over 16 times to UCLA’s four in the two point defeat. The Bruins managed to convert 19 points off the green and white turnovers to send them home with an 0-2 record during the West Coast Big 10 road trip.
Akins led all scorers with 15 points, but no other player for MSU could manage to reach double figures. Junior guard Skyy Clark led the way for UCLA with 14 points, while junior forward Tyler Bilodeau followed with 13.
MSU legend Magic Johnson continued to show support for his alma mater during the time on the road. After making an appearance at USC, Johnson was able to meet up with his former Los Angeles Laker teammate and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the night.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
LA Lakers legends and teammates Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar came out to see their former programs battle on the court #B1GMBBall x @MSU_Basketball x @UCLAMBB pic.twitter.com/fHnXpHTZdw
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 5, 2025
(CONTINUED) The Spartans started the game with an early seven point lead, but ended up giving that margin right back to the home team as halftime rolled around. A strong push near the end of the final 20 minutes helped MSU mount a comeback, but it fell short as the team went scoreless in the final two minutes of the game.
Three point shooting has continued to be a struggle for the team this season. MSU was only able to convert on five of their 22 shot attempts from beyond the arc, finding the inside of the hoop at a 23% rate.
With two conference loses, the team is now tied at the top of the Big Ten with #7 Purdue. Michigan State will head back to East Lansing this weekend for a match against Oregon. Catch coverage on 760 WJR starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
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