KEY POINTS
- No. 13 Michigan State defeated No. 8 Purdue 76-74 to secure a rare win at Mackey Arena.
- The Spartans snapped a seven-game losing streak at West Lafayette dating back to 2014.
- Carson Cooper led Michigan State with 15 points in a game that featured 11 lead changes.
Michigan State achieved a significant milestone on Thursday night by defeating Purdue on the road. The Spartans overcame the hostile environment of Mackey Arena to secure a 76-74 victory. This result marked the first time the program won in West Lafayette since 2014. The game remained competitive throughout the evening as both ranked teams battled for Big Ten positioning.
Carson Cooper anchored the Michigan State offense with a team-high 15 points. He received support from Kur Teng and Jeremy Fears Jr. who scored 13 and 12 points respectively. The Spartans utilized a balanced scoring attack to counteract Purdue’s interior strength. Michigan State shot 53 percent from the field during the tightly contested matchup.
The first half saw both teams trade the lead several times as they settled into a rhythm. Purdue held a slim 39-36 advantage as the players headed to the locker rooms. The Boilermakers relied on their perimeter shooting to stay ahead during the early stages. However, Michigan State remained disciplined and prevented the home team from building a large lead.
The second half began with a surge from the Spartans to reclaim the advantage. They utilized a 9-2 scoring run early in the period to shift the momentum. Purdue responded with their own rallies to keep the score close until the final minutes. Braden Smith led the Boilermakers with 12 points and 10 assists during the losing effort.
The final minute of the game provided intense drama for the fans in attendance. Michigan State held a two-point lead but failed to score on their final full possession. This gave Purdue a chance to tie or win the game with 26 seconds remaining. Trey Kaufman-Renn missed a potential game-tying shot in the lane during the closing sequence.
A missed free throw by the Spartans gave Purdue one last opportunity with three seconds left. Braden Smith attempted a long-range three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to end the game. The shot missed the target, allowing Michigan State to celebrate the upset victory. The win improves the Spartans’ record to 23-5 overall and 13-4 in conference play.
Purdue fell to 22-6 following the loss despite out-rebounding the visitors throughout the night. The Boilermakers struggled with turnovers at critical moments during the second half. This defeat impacts their chances of securing a top-two seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Both teams now prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
Michigan State will look to maintain this momentum as they face another difficult road test next week. The program has demonstrated its ability to win high-pressure games away from home. Purdue will focus on correcting their defensive rotations before their next matchup against Ohio State. The Big Ten race continues to provide unpredictable results as the postseason approaches.
