US EditionNo. 12 Michigan State Rallies in the 2nd Half to Beat Northwestern 76-66
Michigan State rallied from a turnover-filled first half by dominating rebounds and free throws, with Carson Cooper scoring 18 points to secure a 76-66 win.
- On Jan. 8, 2026, Michigan State Spartans rallied from a turnover-marred first half to beat Northwestern Wildcats 76-66 at Breslin Center.
- After a chaotic first half that featured turnovers and missed free throws, Michigan State Spartans missed nearly half their free throws and committed eight turnovers, while Northwestern Wildcats closed with an 11-0 run to lead 35-28.
- Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler provided key scoring with career-high 18 and 15 points, powering Michigan State's comeback.
- With the win, Michigan State Spartans improved to 14-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten play while Northwestern Wildcats dropped to 8-7, 0-4; MSU hosts Indiana Tuesday and Northwestern visits Rutgers Sunday.
- Outrebounding and second-chance points carried Michigan State Spartans, who outrebounded Northwestern Wildcats 42 to 25 for 16 second-chance points and made 17 of 22 free throws in the second half.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Northwestern can’t hold 2nd-half lead in 76-66 loss to No. 12 Michigan State, staying winless in Big Ten
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Carson Cooper had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Jeremy Fears Jr. scored all of his 15 points in the second half to help No. 12 Michigan State rally to beat Northwestern 76-66 on Thursday night. Jaxon Kohler added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Spartans (14-2, 4-1 Big Ten), who trailed by seven at halftime and eight in the second half before rallying to win for the sixth time in seven games. The Wildcats (8-7, 0-4) …
Spartans Overcome Halftime Deficit to Top Wildcats, Improve to 14-2
Photo: Dale Young ~ Imagn ImagesEAST LANSING ~ Michigan State clawed back from a halftime deficit to secure a 76–66 win over Northwestern at the Breslin Center, improving to 14–2 overall and 4–1 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats controlled the first half with sharp execution and a 35–28 lead, but the Spartans responded with grit and energy after the break, flipping the momentum with defensive stops and dominance in the paint. Senior center Carson C…
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
thesportsleader.comNo. 12 Michigan State pushes past Northwestern in second half
Carson Cooper had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead No. 12 Michigan State to a 76-66 win over Northwestern in a Big Ten contest on Thursday in East Lansing, Mich.
Men’s Basketball: Northwestern’s second-half lead evaporates in 76-66 loss to No. 12 Michigan State
Senior forward Nick Martinelli has been crying out for defensive effort from his teammates for weeks. While his teammates started a daunting trip to No. 12 Michigan State firing on all cylinders, when the Wildcats (8-7, 0-4 Big Ten) needed to stand tall the most, they lost control of the glass and suffered the same...
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