Kohler's career night sends Michigan State to 96-60 win over Niagara with top-ranked Kansas up next
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Michigan State Spartans: Game Highlights
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Michigan State Spartans: Game Highlights
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
2024-25 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marist | 2-0 | - | 8-2 |
| Quinnipiac | 2-0 | - | 5-7 |
| Merrimack | 2-0 | - | 5-8 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Manhattan | 1-1 | 1 | 6-5 |
| Niagara | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Fairfield | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Siena | 1-1 | 1 | 5-7 |
| Sacred Heart | 1-1 | 1 | 4-7 |
| Iona | 1-1 | 1 | 3-8 |
| Saint Peter's | 0-2 | 2 | 5-5 |
| Rider | 0-2 | 2 | 4-8 |
| Canisius | 0-2 | 2 | 0-13 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
| UCLA | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
| Michigan | 2-0 | - | 8-3 |
| Oregon | 1-1 | 1 | 11-1 |
| Maryland | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Penn State | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Nebraska | 1-1 | 1 | 7-2 |
| Iowa | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Northwestern | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Indiana | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Illinois | 1-1 | 1 | 7-3 |
| Ohio State | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Purdue | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| USC | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Rutgers | 1-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
| Wisconsin | 0-2 | 2 | 9-3 |
| Washington | 0-2 | 2 | 8-3 |
| Minnesota | 0-2 | 2 | 7-5 |
Men's College Basketball News