EAST LANSING, Mich. — Jase Richardson contributed 12 points and Frankie Fidler added 11, guiding No. 14 Michigan State to a 75-66 victory against No. 13 Purdue on Tuesday evening.
The Spartans improved to 21-5 overall and 12-3 in the Big Ten, having secured three wins in their last four games. This places them just half a game behind conference leaders and 12th-ranked Michigan, as they prepare for an upcoming rivalry match on Friday at Crisler Center.
Trey Kaufmann-Renn was impressive for the Boilermakers, scoring 24 points, while Braden Smith contributed 17. Purdue, the defending Big Ten champions, has now faced setbacks in three consecutive games, marking their first such losing streak in five years.
In addition, Michigan State’s Coen Carr and Jaden Akins both added 10 points each to support their team’s effort.
Purdue initially led by seven points midway through the first half, but a surge from the Spartans allowed them to overturn the deficit and enter halftime with a narrow 33-31 lead. The Spartans held on to their momentum in the second half, sealing their win with a perfect shooting performance, finishing 4 for 4 from the floor.
Key takeaways from the game include the fact that Purdue struggled defensively without 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, now playing with the Memphis Grizzlies. This absence hindered their ability to protect the rim, allowing Michigan State to exploit this weakness with a series of dunks and alley-oops. Meanwhile, no predictions favored coach Tom Izzo’s squad for the Big Ten title at the season’s start, yet their balanced and resilient play has given them a viable shot, particularly with two crucial games against Michigan and a matchup at home against No. 11 Wisconsin left on the schedule.
One notable moment in the game came when Coen Carr executed an extraordinary dunk from a high lob, tying the game late in the first half and initiating a 16-5 run that would grant the Spartans a commanding position.
A key stat from the match reveals that Michigan State capitalized on Purdue’s 12 turnovers, converting them into 19 points.
Looking ahead, Michigan State is set to clash with Michigan in a key Big Ten matchup on Friday night, where the stakes for first place will be high. Purdue, on the other hand, will visit Indiana for another rivalry game on Sunday.
