Michigan State leaned on its relentless defense and pulled off a gritty win over Duke, 79-73, in the State Farm Champions Classic at United Center in Chicago on Tuesday.
The No. 5 Spartans improved to 3-0, holding the No. 2 Blue Devils to just 33.3% from the field. Duke fell to 2-1. Michigan State tallied eight blocks and seven steals and forced 13 turnovers.
The Spartans also ended a longstanding streak of the Blue Devils, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
“Duke had a lead or was within one possession of the lead in the final minute in each of its last 79 games, including all 77 games over the last two seasons. That run ended tonight,” wrote Borzello on X.
Jeremy Fears had 18 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists to lead Michigan State, while Cam Ward added 14 points on 5-of-7 field goals and six rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
Borzello noted that Fears became just the second player in Division I over the last five seasons to post at least 15 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists against a top-five team.
The Spartans recorded their first win against the Blue Devils in five meetings in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Article Continues BelowMichigan State was unforgiving in putting the clamps on Duke, which entered the contest averaging 98.5 points and 55% shooting from the field. Coach Tom Izzo made sure that the Blue Devils bled for every point, unleashing a swarming defense for 40 minutes.
The Spartans, who never trailed in the game, went 45% from the floor and scored 16 points off the Blue Devils' 13 errors.
They will host Northern Iowa on Friday.