Jase Richardson scored 21 points to lead No. 14 Michigan State to a 75-62 win over No. 12 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Friday in a battle for first place in the Big Ten.
The Spartans (22-5, 13-3) moved a half-game ahead of the Wolverines (20-6, 12-3) for first place in the conference and snapped Michigan’s six-game winning streak.
Tre Holloman scored 18 points for Michigan State, which shot 9 of 22 from 3-point range (40.9 percent) and held a 34-25 rebounding advantage. The Spartans have won three in a row and four of their last five.
Vladislav Goldin scored 21 points, Nimari Burnett had 12 points and Danny Wolf added 11 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Michigan, which shot just 5 of 21 from 3-point range (23.8 percent).
The teams close out the regular season on March 9 in East Lansing.
Michigan State led 62-51 with 7:52 remaining, but Michigan responded with an 8-0 run to cut its deficit to 62-59 with 5:37 left after back-to-back baskets by Goldin.
But Michigan State held firm, going up 71-62 with 2:17 left after Jeremy Fears banked in a 3-pointer.
Jaden Akins put the game away by hitting two free throws with 48.2 seconds remaining to give the Spartans a 73-62 lead.
Michigan held a 38-34 lead at halftime, but Michigan State opened the second half with a 12-4 surge to take a 46-42 lead with 13:14 remaining.
The Spartans then took a 57-49 lead with 10:49 left after three consecutive 3-pointers by Holloman.
Michigan State jumped out to a 16-8 lead with 12:53 remaining in the first half, but Michigan responded with a 12-0 run to grab a 20-16 lead with 9:18 to go.
Michigan led by as many as eight in the first half at 33-25 with 2:20 left until the break.
Richard led all scorers with 11 points at the half. Burnett had nine for Michigan.
–Field Level Media
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