Jeremy Fears scores career-high 29 as No. 7 Michigan State outlasts Rutgers 88-79 in OT

Advertisement

Advertise with us

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Jeremy Fears scored 27 of his career-high 29 points in the second half and overtime, and No. 7 Michigan State outlasted Rutgers 88-79 on Tuesday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Jeremy Fears scored 27 of his career-high 29 points in the second half and overtime, and No. 7 Michigan State outlasted Rutgers 88-79 on Tuesday night.

Fears also had nine assists, including a pass to Divine Ugochukwu for the tying 3-pointer from the corner with 11 seconds left in regulation.

When the Spartans (19-2, 9-1 Big Ten) scored the first points of overtime on two free throws by Jaxon Kohler, it was their first lead since they were ahead 9-8. Michigan State pushed ahead 78-73 and led comfortably from there on the way to its seventh straight win.

Rutgers guard Harun Zrno (13) defends against Michigan State forward Jordan Scott (6) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Harun Zrno (13) defends against Michigan State forward Jordan Scott (6) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Tariq Francis scored 23 points and missed a floater at the regulation buzzer that could have won it for Rutgers, (9-12, 2-8) which has lost four in a row.

Fears was 16 of 17 from the free-throw line and 6 of 12 from the field. Coen Carr scored 13 points for the Spartans, and Carson Cooper had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Harun Zrno added 16 points for the Scarlet Knights, Jamichael Davis had 15 and Darren Buchanan Jr. scored 14.

Rutgers went the final 4:40 of regulation without a field goal. The Scarlet Knights converted 8 of 9 free throws, five by Davis, during that span.

The Scarlet Knights scored 17 points off 10 Spartans turnovers to grab a 37-28 halftime lead. It was the fewest points the Spartans have scored in the first half this season and just the third time they have trailed at the break.

Up next

Michigan State hosts No. 3 Michigan on Friday.

Rutgers is at UCLA on Tuesday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD MORE