The Spartans gained control near the end of the first half, using their "strength and numbers" as they bested Purdue for the second time in 11 tries, dating back to 2019. 

"(For) the last few years, (Purdue’s) owned us because they’re well-coached, they got a good team," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said postgame. "Guys were classy after the game. I felt like these two programs mirror each other in a lot of ways."

The Spartans remained on the hunt for their first Big Ten title in six seasons. Four of their final five games are against ranked opponents — Michigan, Maryland and Wisconsin — three of the conference’s top four teams aside from MSU.

MSU freshman guard Jase Richardson scored 10 of his team-high 12 points in the first half, while forwards Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr propelled the Spartans' second-half surge with double-digit scoring performances. Senior guard Jaden Akins made a series of timely shots down the stretch, finishing with 10 points. 

"Everybody gave us something," Izzo said.

Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continued his recent tear with 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting and guard Braden Smith was his usual heart of the Boilermaker offense, scoring 17 points and dishing out eight assists.

The next stop in MSU’s demanding end-of-season stretch is a trip to Ann Arbor on Friday, where the Spartans will take on Dusty May’s Michigan in a high-stakes rivalry matchup. With championship implications on the line, MSU sits just half a game behind Michigan atop the Big Ten standings, with less than three weeks remaining until the postseason.

The Wolverines — whose last seven wins have come by four points or less — feature the most dynamic frontcourt MSU has seen in a while. After Friday, the Spartans will get another shot at conference frontrunner Michigan on its senior day, March 9. In 2019, MSU faced Michigan twice in the span of two weeks, winning both contests en route to a share of the Big Ten title.  

The first meeting between MSU and Michigan will tip off at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 at Crisler Center. FOX will air the game.  

Every point counts

A late-season, high-stakes showdown between two of the Big Ten’s top three teams in defensive efficiency lived up to its name early.  

Purdue, which softened inside this season without the 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, started in a zone defense Tuesday night, one week after Indiana’s 2-2-1 look confounded the Spartans in a 71-67 upset at Breslin Center. A high-scoring game quickly became out of the question as each team played at their own pace, combining for just three shots from deep in the opening six minutes. 

Purdue focused on neutralizing junior forward Jaxon Kohler in the post, leaving MSU big men Szymon Zapala and Carson Cooper stationed near the block.

MSU began the evening looking uncomfortable on offense, often unsure where to pass or what to run next. Purdue controlled the opening minutes in trademark fashion — slow and methodical, outrebounding the Spartans and turning them over five times.

The Spartans gathered momentum by getting to the free-throw line, then defended and ran their way to 10 unanswered points and a 30-26 lead — a run made even more electric by a Carr dunk in transition.

"Our defense wasn't where it needed to be at certain times, so we had to bear down and get stops," Carr said. "It definitely helped us with our transition ... able to go out there and get lobs and easy buckets."

Richardson led all scorers with 10 points in the first half.

"I think transition was really our biggest thing tonight," Richardson said.

Spartans take control

Purdue, ranked first in the Big Ten for offensive efficiency, fell cold early in the second half, opening the door for MSU to play its game in transition. The Spartans mounted as large as a 13-point lead after a 9-0 run, which the Boilermakers swiftly tamed. 

Kaufman-Renn and Smith spearheaded Purdue’s second-half effort, combining for 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the frame. Each made tough shot after tough shot to keep the Boilermakers within striking distance.

Loyer struggled to find a rhythm against Akins and MSU’s backcourt defense. With its junior sharpshooter struggling, Purdue appeared disjointed on offense.

As it has most of the season, MSU decided it would win or lose the game in the paint. The Spartans attacked the rim relentlessly, converting open threes and tough contested shots while drawing fouls. On the other side, Purdue had a three-pointer taken away, which would’ve halved MSU’s lead in the final minutes, due to an illegal screen. 

MSU, despite a shaky free-throw performance down the stretch, picked up its second win against Purdue since 2019. Tuesday night was its best chance to do so.