Michigan State beats Michigan 75-62 for first place in Big Ten
Jase Richardson scored 21 points and Tre Holloman had 18, leading No. 14 Michigan State to a 75-62 win over No. 12 Michigan on Friday night to take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
The Spartans (22-5, 13-3) have surged atop the highly competitive conference with their third straight win.
The Wolverines (20-6, 12-3) fell out of first place with their first loss in seven games.
Michigan's Vladislav Goldin scored 21 points, Danny Wolf had 11 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Nimari Burnett added 12 points.
Michigan State's Jaden Akins had 11 points and Jeremy Fears scored 10.
The Wolverines led 38-34 at halftime and the Spartans went ahead for good on Carson Cooper's dunk early in the second half.
Michigan State was 9 of 22 on 3-pointers, connecting on shots beyond the arc more than usual.
Michigan State: Tom Izzo's team has put itself in a position to win a Big Ten title that wasn't expected to be in reach when the season began. The Spartans have games remaining against conference contenders: No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 20 Maryland and Michigan at home on March 9 in the regular-season finale.
Michigan: The school agreed to a multiyear contract extension for coach Dusty May, announcing the move two hours before tip off. May, a Bob Knight protege, made it clear he is happy and had no interest in being the next coach at Indiana.
Holloman made three 3-pointers in a 1:27 stretch midway through the second half, helping the Spartans take control.
Michigan State's depth was a difference with its bench outscoring Michigan's 31-13.
Michigan is at Nebraska on Monday night. Michigan State plays at Maryland on Wednesday night.
