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Michigan State Steals a Win at Purdue

  • Writer: emeredith55
    emeredith55
  • 3 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

by Elias Meredith 2/27/2026 Sportz Nation


Photo by Doug McSchooler/AP Photo
Photo by Doug McSchooler/AP Photo

Thursday night, the No. 13 Michigan State Spartans traveled 250 miles southwest to visit the No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers in the Mackey Arena on the campus of Purdue University. Senior center Carson Cooper’s 15 points led Michigan State to a 76-74 victory, their first win at Mackey Arena in 12 years.


In the first half, Purdue hit the ground running by going on an 11-4 run to start the game. Michigan State would respond by going on a 12-2 run and to retake the lead with 13:06 left in the first half. From that point on, it was a fire fight for the rest of the half.


Both defenses struggled to stop the offensive explosion. Both teams continued to trade baskets, but one of the baskets was one that will be etched in history.


At the 6:43 mark of the senior guard, Braden Smith recorded his 1,000 career assists of his college career. The 2025 first-team All-American becomes only the fifth Division I player to notch this historic feat. In the process, Smith would finish with his ninth double-double of the season, dropping 12 points and 10 assists.


In the second half, it was more of the same back-and-forth action for the first eight minutes until Michigan State went on a 7-0 run to grab a 62-56 lead.


With 3:12 left in regulation, Purdue found themselves down 74-67. Smith would score five straight points to cut the lead to 74-72 with 2:16 left.


Down 76-74, Purdue’s last two shot attempts came from their best two players. Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn missed a hook shot in the paint with 8 seconds left, and Braden Smith missed a game-winning three point attempt as time expired.


Key to Victory: Points off of turnovers


Michigan State capitalized on Purdue’s mistakes. Michigan State outscored on points off of turnovers Purdue on 19-5.


Next for the Spartans: Sunday, March 1 at Indiana Hoosiers at 3:45 PM EST


Next for the Boilermakers: Sunday, March 1 at Ohio State Buckeyes at 1:30 PM EST


Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)

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