Jeremy Fears Jr. breaks Michigan State’s single-season assists record, but sixth-seeded UCLA holds off a furious Spartans comeback in the Big Ten quarterfinals in Chicago.
Despite trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, the third-seeded Spartans rallied to within two points in the final minute, but clutch free throws and a late layup from UCLA sealed the win and ended Michigan State’s run in the conference tournament.
The Bruins improve to 23–10, while Michigan State drops to 25–7 and will now turn its focus to the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday as the program seeks its 28th consecutive March Madness appearance.
While the loss was a tough one for the Spartans, Jeremy Fears Jr. delivered a historic performance.
The redshirt sophomore scored 21 points and dished out 13 assists, setting a Michigan State single-season record with 294 assists, surpassing the previous mark of 291 set by Cassius Winston during the 2018–19 season.
Fears has now scored in double figures in 20 straight games and recorded his ninth 20-point performance this season, continuing a breakout year that has solidified him as one of the Big Ten’s premier guards.
Bruins’ Hot Shooting Sets the Tone
UCLA’s offensive efficiency proved to be the difference in the game.
The Bruins shot 55.6 percent from the field and connected on 48.1 percent from three-point range, building a commanding lead by halftime.
UCLA went into the locker room ahead 44–33, fueled by a stretch where Michigan State went more than five minutes without a field goal late in the first half.
The Bruins also shot an impressive 63 percent from the floor in the first half, creating the cushion they would ultimately need to survive the Spartans’ late surge.
Spartans Rally Late but Run Out of Time
Michigan State showed its resilience in the second half.
After falling behind 54–39, the Spartans erupted for a 22–7 run, cutting the deficit to 66–61 following a jumper from Jaxon Kohler.
UCLA responded with another push, extending its lead to 75–63 with under five minutes remaining.
But the Spartans refused to go quietly.
A 15–5 run in the closing minutes, highlighted by a Kur Teng three-pointer, cut the Bruins’ lead to 80–78 with just 43 seconds remaining.
Fears then knocked down two clutch free throws to make it 82–80, but Brandon Williams’ layup and four late free throws by Trent Perry iced the victory for UCLA.
Spartans Receive Balanced Scoring Effort
- Jeremy Fears Jr.: 21 points, 13 assists
- Carson Cooper: 13 points, 5 rebounds
- Kur Teng: 13 points off the bench
- Coen Carr: 12 points, game-high 8 rebounds
The Spartans also out-rebounded UCLA 34–26, continuing a trend that has been a strength throughout the season.
However, UCLA’s efficient shooting proved too much to overcome.
What’s Next for Michigan State
Despite the quarterfinal exit, Michigan State remains firmly positioned for the NCAA Tournament, where the Spartans are expected to extend their remarkable streak of 27 consecutive tournament appearances under legendary head coach Tom Izzo.
Izzo, now in his 31st season, holds a career record of 762–309, and the Spartans will look to regroup quickly as the road to March Madness begins.
For UCLA, the win continues its push for a Big Ten Tournament championship and strengthens its postseason résumé heading into Selection Sunday.
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-- By James A. Wright
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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