Jeremy Fears Leads No. 5 Michigan State Past No. 2 Duke in Champions Classic Win
Fears fuels Spartans’ offense
Fears finished with 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in the 79-73 victory. Cam Ward scored 14 points for Michigan State, which improved to 3-0. Fears had eight assists by halftime. Late in the first half, he drove inside to set up Ethan Taylor’s three-point play, giving the Spartans a 34-25 advantage at the break.
Duke struggles to settle
Duke began the regular season with decisive wins over Army and Coastal Carolina, averaging 98.5 points and shooting 55% from the field across those games. Against Michigan State, the Blue Devils struggled for much of the night at Chicago’s United Center.
Duke made 7 of 27 shots in the first half, a 25.9% mark. Michigan State carried its lead into the second half and extended it to 50-36 with 13:37 remaining after Jesse McCulloch made two free throws and Fears completed a three-point play.
Classic record improves
The victory marked Michigan State’s first over Duke since the Spartans won 75-69 on Dec. 1, 2020. Michigan State also moved to 7-9 in the Champions Classic. The annual event is an early-season doubleheader featuring Kansas and Kentucky in different combinations and cities.
Key points
- Fears posted 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in Michigan State’s win.
- No. 5 Michigan State defeated No. 2 Duke 79-73 on Tuesday night.
- The Spartans improved to 3-0 and moved to 7-9 in the Champions Classic.
- Duke shot 25.9% from the field in the first half.