Photo: Jacob Musselman ~ Imagn Images
EAST LANSING ~ In a heavyweight Big Ten matchup that lived up to expectations, No. 13 Michigan State escaped Mackey Arena with a hard‑fought 76-74 victory over No. 8 Purdue. The Spartans trailed 39-36 at halftime but surged in the second half, outscoring the Boilermakers 40-35 to seal a statement win in one of college basketball’s toughest venues. The victory lifts Michigan State to 23-5 and preserves its place among the conference’s top contenders.
Senior center Carson Cooper delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, anchoring the Spartans with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, six rebounds and a perfect 3-for-3 showing at the line. Redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. added 12 points and a team-high six assists, while junior forward Coen Carr contributed 11 points and five rebounds. Off the bench, sophomore guard Kur Teng scored 13 points, providing a crucial offensive spark during key stretches.
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(CONTINUED) Purdue countered with a dynamic effort of its own, led by senior guard Braden Smith’s double-double: 12 points, five rebounds and a game-high 10 assists as he orchestrated the Boilermakers’ attack. Senior forward Trey Kaufman‑Renn added 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while senior center Oscar Cluff chipped in 10 points to help Purdue control much of the first half. But the Boilermakers struggled to convert late scoring opportunities that might have swung the outcome.
The final minutes played out with postseason intensity as both teams traded defensive stops and tough baskets. Purdue generated multiple late looks, including attempts by Smith and Kaufman‑Renn, but Michigan State held firm, forcing contested shots and controlling critical rebounds to preserve its slim lead. The Spartans’ defensive discipline, paired with a seven-player scoring spread of eight points or more, proved decisive against one of the nation’s most efficient passing offenses. With March looming, Michigan State’s road win over a top‑10 opponent marks one of its most significant results of the season and positions Tom Izzo’s team well for the stretch run.
The Spartans visit Indiana on Sunday afternoon.
