No. 12 Michigan State maintained sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings after rallying from a 10-point first-half deficit to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78 on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich.
The Spartans (16-2 overall) won their 11th consecutive game, and their 7-0 start in Big Ten play is their best since the 2018-19 season when they last played in the Final Four. The loss drops Illinois (13-5, 5-3 Big Ten) into a fifth-place tie in the Big Ten.
Michigan State is the only team ranked in the AP Top 25 that has just one player scoring in double figures, and the Spartans put that balance on display against the Illini. Tre Holloman led Michigan State with 17 points, but five other players scored between eight and 11 points. Holloman hit 7-of-8 free throws, including his last two that ultimately provided the final margin.
With Illinois’ all-everything freshman Kasparas Jakucionis plagued with foul trouble, Will Riley came off the bench to score 16 of the Illini’s first 25 points. But Illinois struggled to replace Jakucionis’ scoring and presence, especially in the second half. He played only nine minutes and scored just three points before fouling out.
Still, Illinois had its chances late in the game. Trailing by four points, the Illini appeared to secure a steal, but officials granted Michigan State a timeout during the scramble. Coach Brad Underwood argued the call and was hit with a technical foul. After two Spartans’ free throws, Michigan State led 76-70 with 3:18 left.
Illinois twice trimmed the Spartans’ lead to one point and had a chance to take the lead with 5.9 seconds left, but Kylan Boswell’s pass in the paint skidded out of bounds. After an Illinois foul, Holloman’s free throws pushed the lead to 80-77, and the Spartans fouled Boswell with 3.9 seconds left. Boswell hit the first, missed the second intentionally and grabbed the rebound. With one second left, Boswell attempted a shot from behind the basket, which qualifies as a turnover and gave the ball back to Michigan State. The Spartans inbounded the ball and time expired.
Michigan State’s win holds off surging Purdue from moving into the Big Ten’s top spot. The Boilermakers (15-4, 7-1 Big Ten) have won seven straight league games and swept Oregon and Washington this week on their West Coast road swing. Wisconsin (15-3, 5-2 Big Ten) also has won seven straight, including five in a row in Big Ten play. Michigan (13-4, 5-1) dropped its first game on Thursday in overtime at Minnesota.
Looking ahead, the Spartans are off until Saturday when they travel to Rutgers. Purdue plays host to Ohio State on Tuesday and entertains Michigan on Friday. Wisconsin won at USC 84-69 on Saturday and plays at UCLA on Tuesday.
(Photo of Jeremy Fears: Nick King / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
