Boilermakers defeat Spartans

 

        For the second time in the last five seasons, Purdue has swept the season series against Michigan State. 

        The Boilermakers defeated the Spartans 75-65 on Wednesday night at Mackey Arena. Purdue was led by 28 points from Trevion Williams. Also scoring in double figures for Purdue were Eric Hunter Jr with 15 points and freshman Jayden Ivey with 11 and Zach Edey with 10 points.  Michigan State was led by Indianapolis native Aaron Henry who scored 15 points. The Spartans also had double figure scorers from Julius Marble who added 10 points and Joey Hauser who scored 11 points. Purdue has won five straight against Michigan State at Mackey Arena. The loss drops the Spartans record to 10-9 overall and 4-9 in the Big Ten while Purdue sees its record go to 14-8 overall and 9-6 in the conference. 

    The game started out on a slow note with both teams struggling from the field. Neither team scored their 20th point until 3:55 to go in the first half. Purdue headed into the locker room with a 30-27 advantage. Purdue took advantage in the 2nd half by going on a late run to take a seven point lead with eight minutes to go and never trailed again.  Michigan State got close several times in the second half to make it a one possession game but the Boilers were too much to handle down the stretch. 

    Both teams struggled from three point range, going a combined 10 of 28. Purdue was able to take advantage of the inside game with Williams who continued his domination of the Spartans this year. Purdue finished with 48 points in the paint while Michigan State struggled with just 24 points. Purdue went inside early and often and it paid off with solid performances by Williams and Zach Edey. Michigan State had no answer all game for the Boilers big men. Jayden Ivey continued to show his potential by showing his ability to bounce back from a slow start to have a great second half on both sides of the ball. 

    Purdue completed the season sweep of the Spartans after defeating Michigan State earlier this season in East Lansing when they won on a last second shot by Trevion Williams as Purdue won in the Breslin Center 55-54 back in January. Purdue is now in fifth place in the Big Ten standings after getting its ninth victory while Michigan State has another crucial loss that sends them to their ninth loss in conference play. The Spartans are now tied with Penn State for 11th place in the Big Ten. Purdue looks to be in a solid position to make the NCAA Tournament while Michigan State is in danger of missing out on March Madness for the first time in 24 years.