EVANSTON, Ill. — In a decisive matchup, Jaden Akins netted 14 points, helping No. 16 Michigan State secure a 78-68 victory against Northwestern on Sunday, thereby extending their winning streak to nine games.
The Spartans (14-2, 5-0 Big Ten) showcased their dominance in the first half, finishing on a remarkable 33-12 scoring run to take a commanding 47-28 lead at halftime. Every player on the roster contributed to the scoring, with all 10 Spartans recording at least one field goal. Meanwhile, the Wildcats (10-6, 1-4) made an effort to close the gap, managing to bring the deficit under 10 points in the final minute of play.
Accompanying Akins in the score sheet were Jase Richardson with 13 points and Jeremy Fears Jr., who contributed 12 points and eight assists. The Spartans delighted their fans by executing six dunks in the first half, with a significant portion of the sellout crowd comprised of enthusiastic Michigan State supporters.
Northwestern, led by Nick Martinelli with a striking 27 points and Jalen Leach adding 17, faced their first home loss of the season and their third consecutive defeat overall.
Noteworthy takeaways from the game include the Spartans’ impressive bench depth, as their substitutes delivered another strong performance, scoring a combined 24 points—almost outpacing Northwestern’s entire first-half score.
Despite having a solid track record of overcoming top-25 teams at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Northwestern struggled with ball control during the game. They committed four turnovers and struggled offensively, shooting only 3 for 18 from the field in a disappointing first half.
A key moment unfolded when Richardson was fouled while attempting a putback, converting the subsequent free throw to give Michigan State a 17-16 lead just over 13 minutes into the first half. This play initiated a crucial 14-point scoring run for the Spartans, which laid the groundwork for their eventual triumph.
On an individual note, Brooks Barnhizer of Northwestern entered the game averaging 19.3 points per game. However, his performance was lackluster, as he missed his initial seven attempts and ended the contest with only four points on 2-for-13 shooting.
Looking ahead, Michigan State is set to host Penn State on Wednesday, while Northwestern will face Maryland at home on Thursday.
