Michigan State Spartans Triumph Over UCLA Bruins
In a decisive matchup, the No. 15 ranked Michigan State Spartans triumphed over the UCLA Bruins with an emphatic score of 82-59 on Tuesday night in East Lansing. This victory was particularly significant for the Spartans (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten), as they sought to recover from a challenging stretch where they had lost three out of four games, resulting in a drop in the AP Top 25 rankings.
Standout Performers
Jeremy Fears Jr. was a standout performer for the Spartans, contributing 16 points along with 10 assists. His impactful play helped establish a significant first-half lead, where he netted 11 of his points, allowing Michigan State to take a commanding 43-23 advantage into halftime. Fears also showcased his shooting prowess, making four 3-pointers in total, marking a career-best for him. Overall, the Spartans excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 14 out of 27 attempts, including 8 of 14 in the first half alone.
Coen Carr also added to the Spartans’ offensive efforts with 16 points, while Carson Cooper chimed in with 12 points and freshman Jordan Scott contributed 11. Jaxon Kohler further bolstered the team’s performance with 9 points and 10 rebounds.
UCLA’s Struggles
On the other side of the court, UCLA (17-9, 9-6) struggled to find their rhythm, suffering their second consecutive defeat after previously winning five out of six games. Tyler Bilodeau led the Bruins with 22 points; however, he was left without sufficient support from his companions, as only Skyy Clark reached double figures, finishing with 12 points.
The Bruins faced a stark contrast in performance after being routed in their previous game against No. 1 Michigan, where they experienced a 30-point loss. This inconsistency has raised concerns within the team. Adding to the drama of the matchup, UCLA center Steven Jamerson, previously a student at Michigan State, was ejected for a flagrant foul late in the game after a hard foul on Cooper during a dunk attempt. Coach Mick Cronin promptly decided to send Jamerson to the locker room following the incident. Additionally, Xavier Booker, who transferred from Michigan State last April, had a quiet night with just 2 points and 2 rebounds in 25 minutes of play.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Bruins are set to face No. 10 Illinois in their next game on Saturday, while Michigan State prepares to host Ohio State on Sunday.
