Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State picked up a major road win Saturday night, powering past Washington 80–63 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. The victory marked the Spartans’ first West Coast Big Ten road win, driven by a composed second‑half surge that broke open what had been a competitive matchup early. The Huskies struggled to keep pace as the game wore on, particularly from beyond the arc, where they shot just 16% in the loss.
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. delivered a breakout performance, taking over the game after halftime. He finished with 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting, repeatedly getting downhill and controlling the tempo when MSU needed it most. His energy fueled a Spartans offense that ended the night shooting 32% from 3-point range and dominating the interior. His leadership was evident in the way the Spartans pushed through rough offensive stretches and kept Washington from gaining ground.
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(CONTINUED) Washington found bright spots in freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who posted 17 points and remained the Huskies’ most dependable offensive threat. The Spartans’ rebounding advantage, highlighted by 13 offensive boards to Washington’s three, kept the Huskies from generating second-chance points and stalled their attempts to close the gap.
In the end, Michigan State’s efficiency, edge on the boards and defensive consistency proved too much for Washington’s young and injury-adjusted roster. The win pushed the Spartans to 16–2 on the season and extended their momentum heading into a tough road matchup at Oregon next Tuesday. Saturday’s showdown showed flashes of what both teams can be, but MSU’s maturity and poise ultimately defined the night.
