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Ugochukwu’s Breakout and Izzo’s Lineup Shift Lift No. 9 Michigan State Over Penn State

A late 12-5 push overcame a season-high turnover total in the Spartans’ first true road game.

Overview

  • Michigan State edged Penn State 76-72 in State College to move to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten.
  • Tom Izzo started Divine Ugochukwu at shooting guard for the first time, and the sophomore delivered a career-high 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting, including 5-for-5 from three.
  • The Spartans committed a season-high 17 turnovers yet closed the game on a 12-5 run, with Ugochukwu hitting a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
  • Jaxon Kohler logged a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double and Carson Cooper added 10 points, while Jeremy Fears Jr. had nine assists.
  • Penn State, coming off a 113-72 loss at Indiana, led for stretches before faltering late; Michigan State now turns to a trio of nonconference games as Cam Ward continues to trend better in practice per Izzo.