Niagara Purple Eagles @ Michigan State Spartans
Kohler's career night sends Michigan State to 96-60 win over Niagara with top-ranked Kansas up next
LANSING, Mich. -- — Jaxon Kohler came off the bench to post career highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds and Michigan State warmed up for a meeting with top-ranked Kansas with a 96-60 victory over Niagara on Thursday night.
Michigan State (2-0) takes on the Jayhawks on Tuesday at the Champions Classic in Atlanta.
Kohler was 8-of-12 shooting with the junior posting his second career double-double. Jase Richardson added 12 points, Tre Holloman and Frankie Fidler 11 each and Jaden Akins 10. The Spartans shot 52% and were plus-10 on the offensive boards, dominating in the paint where they outscored Niagara 56-18.
Olumide Adelodun scored 13 points, Jahari Williamson 12 and Jhaylon Martinez 10 for the Purple Eagles (1-1), who shot 38%.
A Martinez 3-pointer to open the second half cut Michigan State's lead to 46-42 but then Niagara went into a 1-of-9 shooting funk and the Spartans put together an 11-0 run including five straight points from Fidler to go up by 14. The lead was 24 after a Fidler 3-pointer with eight minutes left and reached 38 after the Spartans scored 16 straight points.
Niagara hit three straight 3s — two by Williamson — to take an early lead before the Spartans went in front for good on a Richardson bucket seven minutes into the game. Michigan State led by as many as 13 in the first half but a jumper and a 3-pointer by Adelodun to close the half got the Purple Eagles within five.
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Game Information
East Lansing, MI


2025-26 Standings
| Metro Atlantic Athletic ConferenceMetro Atlantic Athletic Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack | 9-2 | - | 13-9 |
| Saint Peter's | 8-2 | 0.5 | 11-7 |
| Siena | 7-3 | 1.5 | 14-7 |
| Marist | 7-4 | 2 | 13-7 |
| Quinnipiac | 7-4 | 2 | 14-8 |
| Iona | 6-5 | 3 | 14-8 |
| Fairfield | 5-6 | 4 | 13-9 |
| Sacred Heart | 5-6 | 4 | 9-13 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 5-6 | 4 | 9-13 |
| Manhattan | 4-7 | 5 | 8-14 |
| Canisius | 3-7 | 5.5 | 8-13 |
| Niagara | 2-8 | 6.5 | 5-15 |
| Rider | 1-9 | 7.5 | 2-17 |
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 9-1 | - | 20-1 |
| Michigan | 9-1 | - | 19-1 |
| Michigan State | 9-1 | - | 19-2 |
| Illinois | 9-1 | - | 18-3 |
| Purdue | 7-3 | 2 | 17-4 |
| Wisconsin | 7-3 | 2 | 15-6 |
| UCLA | 7-3 | 2 | 15-6 |
| Ohio State | 6-4 | 3 | 14-6 |
| Iowa | 5-4 | 3.5 | 15-5 |
| Indiana | 5-5 | 4 | 14-7 |
| USC | 4-6 | 5 | 15-6 |
| Washington | 3-7 | 6 | 11-10 |
| Minnesota | 3-7 | 6 | 10-11 |
| Northwestern | 2-8 | 7 | 10-11 |
| Rutgers | 2-8 | 7 | 9-12 |
| Maryland | 1-8 | 7.5 | 8-12 |
| Oregon | 1-9 | 8 | 8-13 |
| Penn State | 0-10 | 9 | 9-12 |
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