EAST LANSING, Mich. — Jase Richardson shone brightly for No. 9 Michigan State, scoring 18 of his career-high 29 points in the second half, leading his team to an 86-74 comeback victory over Oregon on Saturday. This win marked a significant milestone for coach Tom Izzo, as he notched his 353rd Big Ten victory, equaling the legendary Bob Knight’s record.
Trailing by 14 points at the half, Michigan State (19-5, 10-2) flipped the script in the second half, with Richardson energizing the squad on both offense and defense. His presence on the court was pivotal during this turnaround, as the Spartans regained control early in the second half. Meanwhile, Oregon (16-8, 5-8) faced its fifth consecutive defeat, a streak the program has not experienced since the 2013-2014 season.
In attendance to support his son, Richardson’s father, former Michigan State standout and NBA player Jason Richardson, was part of a celebration honoring the school’s 2000 national championship team. Other notable contributions for the Spartans came from Jaxon Kholer, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Tre Holloman and Jaden Akins chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
On the opposing side, Jackson Shelstad was a bright spot for Oregon, scoring 18 of his 22 points in the first half and helping the Ducks establish a 50-36 lead at halftime. However, his efforts were not enough as only Kwame Evans, with 10 points, joined him in double digits for the Ducks.
The game showcased Oregon’s fluctuating performance; during the first half, they exhibited the potential reminiscent of their early season success, where they started with a solid 13-1 record, including victories against Alabama and Texas A&M. However, they struggled to maintain that high level of play as the game progressed.
For Michigan State, this marked a significant breakout for Richardson, who made the most of his starting opportunity due to Jeremy Fears being sidelined with an illness. His impressive performance brought him close to breaking the Michigan State freshman scoring record of 33 points established by Miles Bridges in 2017.
A key moment in the game came when Richardson sank two back-to-back three-pointers during the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the match. He ended the night with an efficient shooting performance, hitting 9 of 13 attempts.
Looking ahead, Michigan State is set to face Indiana in their upcoming game, while Oregon will be taking on Northwestern, both scheduled for Tuesday night.
