ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan State didn’t play poorly, but it didn’t have enough to take down one of the best teams in the country on the road.
The eighth-ranked Spartans fell short against No. 3 Michigan, 90-80, on Sunday evening during a physical, heavyweight battle between two in-state rivals. UM’s Yaxel Lendeborg was the difference in this one, as he cashed in 27 points with five made three-pointers. Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. had 22 points and nine assists. Jaxon Kohler had 23 points and eight rebounds.
This loss completes MSU’s regular season at 25-6 overall and 15-5 during Big Ten play. The Wolverines wrapped it up at 29-2 and 19-1, respectively, comfortably taking the Big Ten crown.
The Spartans will now look to the Big Ten Tournament, where they will begin their run in the quarterfinal round this coming Friday night.
Game Recap
First Half
The start was chippy, to say the least. Fears was assessed a deadball technical foul for another backwards kick that was similar to the play he had at Minnesota earlier this year. UM’s Aday Mara got a technical foul, too, after he shoved Michigan State’s Carson Cooper after both went for a rebound (Mara got a flagrant called on him in the second half, as well). Michigan’s Trey McKenney then got his own technical when he knocked the ball out of Jaxon Kohler’s hands while he was trying to inbound the ball…