MSU Stands Firm at Home, Maintains Control of Destiny for Regular Season Title Shot

**BRESLIN CENTER- East Lansing, MI**

Tuesday night, Michigan State cashed in with a significant victory over the Purdue Boilermakers, 75-66. This win was crucial for the Spartans as it brought them within half a game of the Big Ten conference lead and maintained some “Control Your Own Destiny,” fate after suffering a trio of loses to USC, UCLA and at home vs Indiana. The win keeps MSU pace for a chance at the regular season title, or a possible share.

The game was a tale of two halves. Purdue started strong, leading by seven points midway through the first half. However, Michigan State went on a surge to take a 33-31 lead at halftime. The Spartans maintained control in the second half, finishing the game with a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. Coen Carr was flying around per usual, soaring as some would say and Tre Holloman helped lead the guards along with Jase Richardson. The second half was more of Frankie Fidler making plays, the forwards securing rebounds, throwing down more dunks and playing elite team defense.

✅ Same opponent
✅ Same basket
✅ Same final score 🤯

We synced up @TysonWalker13 & @MilesBridges‘ @MSU_Basketball daggers vs. Purdue just for you. pic.twitter.com/9xmdxxMO3Z

— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 26, 2022

Key players for Michigan State included Jase Richardson (12 points on 3-6 FG, 2-3 3-pt, 3 assists and 2 steals), and Frankie Fidler (11 points, 4-6 FGs, 2-2 FTs, 2 rebounds and 2 steals). Coen Carr (10 points, 4 rebounds on perfect FG shooting) and Jaden Akins (3-8 FG, 4-6 FTGs and 2 steals) also contributed with 10 points. The Spartans’ balanced scoring attack was a critical factor in their victory, with six players scoring between 8 and 12 points with the bench answering the bell again for 35 total points.

Purdue’s Trey Kaufmann-Renn led all scorers with 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-7 FTs), while Braden Smith added 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-9 3-pt, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 6 turnovers). They couldn’t overcome their turnover margin deficit along with fewer FTs. Purdue’s inability to protect the rim allowed Michigan State to capitalize with lobs and dunks and being destroyed 24-42 with points-in-the-paint.

A pivotal moment in the game came late in the first half when Coen Carr defied gravity with a dunk off a high lob, tying the score during a 16-5 run that gave the Spartans control. Another critical stat was Michigan State scoring 19 points off Purdue’s 12 turnovers. The Boilermakers could only muster 8 points off 8 MSU turnovers.

GET UP COEN CARR! What an oop for the Spartans! 💥 @coencarr2 x @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/MtnWqPL8FZ

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 19, 2025

With this win, Michigan State improved to 21-5 overall and 12-3 in Big Ten play. They now turn their focus to a crucial road game against their rival, Michigan, with first place in the Big Ten at stake1. Purdue, on the other hand, will look to bounce back in their upcoming game against Indiana, who just won at MSU despite having a lame-duck coach.

“THE BIG ONE” will come Friday night in Ann Abor, primetime at 8pm on FOX. Izzo is 34-14 all-time against UofM.

TEAM STATS:

Spartans: 28-48 FG (58.3%), 4-13, 3-PT (30.8%), 15-21 FT (71.4%)

Boilermakers: 24-47 FG (51.1%), 9-24, 3-PT (37.5%), 9-11 FT (81.8%)

Record/Rankings & More:

21-5 (11-3, 1st-Big Ten) Rankings: #14 AP / #14 Coaches Poll

FULL KenPom Stats: https://kenpom.com/index.php

FULL Bart Torvik Stats: https://barttorvik.com/#

FULL T-Rank Stats: https://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2025/net-teamsheets-plus#google_vignette