Michigan State Beats No. 3 Duke 79-73 in Chicago
Jeremy Fears Jr. led the Spartans with 18 points as they secured their first win against a ranked team this season.
By Alina Campbell ·
Michigan State defeated No. 3 Duke 79-73 in the Champions Classic held in Chicago on Tuesday night.
The Spartans built an 11-2 lead early in the contest. Jeremy Fears Jr. scored a game-high 18 points for the home team. Cam Ward contributed 14 points from the bench. The starting lineup established the early advantage that set the tone for the match.
Duke attempted to close the gap by drawing fouls and finding rhythm in the second half. Jordan Scott provided a key presence for the Spartans during the late-game push. He finished with six blocks, nine rebounds, and two steals. Scott also broke a three-minute scoring drought with a driving layup.
The defense limited the Blue Devils from reclaiming the lead. Michigan State maintained its advantage throughout the final minutes of play. The result stands as a rare regular-season victory for the Spartans against the Blue Devils.
This win improved Michigan State’s all-time record against Duke to 5-10. It marks the first time the team has beaten a ranked opponent this season. The Spartans now return home ahead of the start of Big Ten conference play.
