Overview
- Jeremy Fears Jr. posted a career-high 21 points with 11 assists, including a coast-to-coast layup to beat the halftime horn that put MSU ahead 55-53.
- Michigan State outscored Cornell 59-44 after the break and limited the nation’s top-volume 3-point team to 9-for-28 from deep in the second half.
- Jaxon Kohler logged another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Coen Carr added 19 points as six Spartans reached double figures.
- Tom Izzo said MSU altered its usual defensive principles to counter Cornell’s backdoor cuts and 3-point spacing, a shift players credited for the turnaround.
- Cornell, playing just its second game in 22 days, faded after halftime, and MSU closed nonconference play at 12-1 ahead of Friday’s trip to undefeated No. 13 Nebraska.