No. 4 UConn Holds Off Late Michigan State Rally in Exhibition Contest
Michigan State’s men’s basketball team demonstrated resilience but ultimately fell to No. 4 Connecticut, 76-69, in an exhibition game at PeoplesBank Arena on Tuesday night. Despite a slow start and significant first-half struggles, the 22nd-ranked Spartans mounted a comeback before the Huskies secured the victory.
The game served as a valuable tune-up for both programs ahead of the upcoming regular season. Four players scored in double figures for Michigan State, led by redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who contributed 14 points and six assists. Senior center Carson Cooper recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Jaxon Kohler also achieved a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Junior forward Coen Carr added 11 points to the Spartans’ effort.
First-Half Struggles Plague Michigan State
Michigan State faced a challenging first half, hampered by offensive inefficiency and turnovers. The Spartans didn’t convert a 2-point field goal for the first 12-plus minutes of play. They managed to reach the half trailing by 11 points (44-33) despite making 17 of 22 free throws, while only connecting on 7 of 20 field goal attempts. UConn capitalized on eight Spartan turnovers, scoring 16 points off those possessions.
“We definitely started slow,” a team spokesperson acknowledged. “We need to be more aggressive early and take care of the ball.”
Second-Half Surge Falls Short
The Spartans emerged with renewed energy in the second half, briefly threatening the Huskies’ lead. A 3-pointer from Carr at the 15:41 mark narrowed the deficit to 50-42, and a driving layup from sophomore Divine Ugochukwu brought the score to 52-44 with 13:17 remaining. However, a flagrant foul called on Ugochukwu shifted momentum back to UConn. Alex Karaban converted both free throws, and the Huskies followed with back-to-back 3-pointers from Jayden Ross and Malachi Smith, extending their lead to 60-44.
UConn’s lead peaked at 63-44 following another 3-pointer from Karaban with 11:26 left, capping an 11-0 run. Despite this, Michigan State refused to concede.
Late Rally and Key Statistics
Michigan State demonstrated grit in the final 7:40 of the game, outscoring UConn 17-7 and closing the gap to 76-69 with 10 seconds left, thanks to a three-point play from freshman forward Jordan Scott. While the comeback ultimately fell short, it highlighted the team’s determination.
Key statistics revealed areas for improvement for the Spartans. In the first half, they were outscored 16-3 in points off turnovers. UConn dominated the boards early, holding a 20-14 rebounding advantage and a 15-2 edge in second-chance points. However, Michigan State adjusted in the second half, securing a 20-18 rebounding edge and an 11-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Overall, Michigan State finished the game shooting 65.9% from the free throw line (29-of-44), with a notable disparity between the first half (77.3%) and second half (54.5%). UConn held a 38-34 overall rebounding advantage. .
Looking Ahead
Michigan State will open its 2025-26 regular season on Monday, November 3, hosting Colgate at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on B1G+. This exhibition contest provided valuable experience and identified key areas for growth as the Spartans prepare for the challenges ahead.
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