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 | 12-2 | - | 16-9 |
| Saint Peter's | 11-3 | 1 | 14-8 |
| Siena | 10-4 | 2 | 17-8 |
| Marist | 10-5 | 2.5 | 16-8 |
| Quinnipiac | 10-5 | 2.5 | 17-9 |
| Fairfield | 8-7 | 4.5 | 16-10 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 7-8 | 5.5 | 11-15 |
| Iona | 6-8 | 6 | 14-11 |
| Manhattan | 6-9 | 6.5 | 10-16 |
| Sacred Heart | 6-9 | 6.5 | 10-16 |
| Canisius | 3-11 | 9 | 8-17 |
| Niagara | 3-11 | 9 | 6-18 |
| Rider | 2-12 | 10 | 3-20 |
| Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 12-1 | - | 22-1 |
| Illinois | 11-2 | 1 | 20-4 |
| Nebraska | 10-2 | 1.5 | 21-2 |
| Michigan State | 10-3 | 2 | 20-4 |
| Purdue | 9-3 | 2.5 | 19-4 |
| UCLA | 9-4 | 3 | 17-7 |
| Iowa | 8-4 | 3.5 | 18-5 |
| Wisconsin | 8-4 | 3.5 | 16-7 |
| Indiana | 8-6 | 4.5 | 17-8 |
| USC | 7-6 | 5 | 18-6 |
| Ohio State | 7-6 | 5 | 15-8 |
| Washington | 4-9 | 8 | 12-12 |
| Minnesota | 4-9 | 8 | 11-13 |
| Maryland | 2-10 | 9.5 | 9-14 |
| Northwestern | 2-11 | 10 | 10-14 |
| Rutgers | 2-11 | 10 | 9-15 |
| Penn State | 1-12 | 11 | 10-14 |
| Oregon | 1-12 | 11 | 8-16 |
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