Spartans Rally Falls Short as No. 3 Michigan Pulls Away Late in Rivalry Clash
**EAST LANSING, Mich. ** - For a few electric minutes in the second half, it looked like Michigan State might pull off one of the more memorable comebacks in recent rivalry history.
Down by 16 at the break and as many as 18 overall, the Spartans clawed their way back to take the lead - twice - in front of a raucous home crowd at the Breslin Center. But when the dust settled, it was No.
3 Michigan that walked out with the win, closing strong to hand MSU an 83-71 loss on Friday night.
The Spartans got a career night from redshirt sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr., who poured in 31 points, dished out seven assists, and added five boards and four steals in a performance that was as gutsy as it was electric. Fears was the engine behind MSU’s second-half surge, scoring in transition, breaking down defenders off the dribble, and setting up teammates with pinpoint passes. It was the kind of outing that cements a player’s status as a rising star in the Big Ten.
But even that wasn’t enough to overcome a rough first half and a late-game surge from the Wolverines.
A Tale of Two Halves
Michigan State came out flat, and the Wolverines made them pay. Sloppy ball-handling and cold shooting plagued the Spartans early, as they turned it over 11 times and shot just 26.9% from the field in the first half. Michigan capitalized, building a lead that ballooned to 18 points before MSU trimmed it slightly to 42-26 at the break.
Whatever Tom Izzo said in the locker room clearly hit home.
Coen Carr came out firing with back-to-back buckets to start the second half, and Fears followed with a fast-break layup and a free throw that cut the deficit to single digits. In just over four minutes, Michigan State had ripped off a 15-2 run to pull within five, and suddenly the building was alive again.
The Spartans kept coming. Jaxon Kohler buried a three to tie it at 55, and Fears gave MSU its first lead of the night with a coast-to-coast layup that made it 57-55 with just over seven minutes to play. When freshman Jordan Scott finished a layup moments later to put MSU up 59-57, it felt like the Spartans had flipped the script.
But Michigan had an answer.
Wolverines Close It Out
Will Tschetter’s corner three gave Michigan the lead back for good at 60-59, and from there, the Wolverines closed like a top-three team should. Morez Johnson Jr. threw down a dunk, Elliot Cadeau knocked down a dagger three, and Yaxel Lendeborg sealed it at the line. Michigan ended the game on a 24-12 run, hitting clutch free throws and capitalizing on late Spartan fouls to put it away.
In the end, Michigan State’s comeback bid ran out of gas - and time.
By the Numbers
The Spartans shot just 36.7% from the field (22-of-60), including a chilly 17.4% from deep (4-of-23). That kind of shooting night rarely wins games in the Big Ten, especially against a top-five opponent. MSU also turned the ball over 14 times, including 11 in that rough first half.
Despite the loss, the Spartans battled on the glass, matching Michigan’s 36 rebounds - a rare stat this season, as MSU has typically dominated the boards. But this was just the second time all year the Spartans didn’t win the rebounding battle, and the second time they were out-shot by an opponent.
It was also the first time this season Michigan State lost a game when scoring at least 70 points (they’re now 6-1 in such games), and the 83 points allowed were the second-most they’ve given up all year.
Standout Performances
**Jeremy Fears Jr. ** - What more can you say?
The sophomore guard continues to blossom into a leader and go-to scorer. His 31 points marked a new career high - the seventh time he’s reset that mark this season - and he’s now scored in double digits in 16 games this year.
He also tied a career high with 35 minutes played and led the team in scoring for the third straight game and fifth time in the last six.
Carson Cooper quietly had a monster night on the glass. The big man notched his second career double-double with 12 points and a career-best 14 rebounds. He also logged a career-high 36 minutes and led the team in rebounding for the seventh time this year.
Jaxon Kohler added 12 points and five boards, continuing his steady production. He’s now hit double figures in 20 games this season.
Coen Carr chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds - his 12th game in double digits this year - while Jordan Scott added 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals in just his second career game scoring double figures.
What It Means
The loss snaps a seven-game win streak for Michigan State, dropping them to 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play. It also ends a four-game win streak in the rivalry and marks Michigan’s first win at the Breslin Center since January 13, 2018.
It was a gut punch, no doubt. But the fight MSU showed in the second half - especially from Fears and company - is something Izzo can build on.
This team has proven it can take a punch, get off the mat, and swing back. Now it’s about learning how to finish.
With the Big Ten race heating up and March looming, that lesson could prove invaluable.
Up next: Michigan State will look to regroup and get back on track as conference play continues.