EAST LANSING– No. 12 Michigan State vaulted over the Indiana Hoosiers with a 28-2 run in the second half to secure the 81-60 victory.

Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was the star, he had a career-high 23 points to go along with 10 assists for his double-double of the season.

MSU head coach Tom Izzo was impressed with Fears Jr. and his continued development at the point guard position.

“I thought Jeremy did a heck of a job, both defensively and offensively,” Izzo said.

The Spartans got out to a slow start, Fears Jr. was the only player to produce, even as he scored the first ten points, Indiana had a 17-10 lead. 

The Spartans held Hoosier sharpshooter Lamar Wilkerson to a quiet first half before he erupted in the second half, making MSU pay for careless turnovers as they were turned into three-pointers on the other end. 

Spartans junior forward Coen Carr was a lockdown primary defender on Wilkerson and Izzo approved of his output.

“I thought his preparation, his film study, the things he wanted to cover, I thought he was phenomenal,” Izzo said

The game was tied 53-53 late in the second half before the Spartans began to play a better brand of basketball. It took big contributions from the younger players for MSU to pull away.

It was also a career night for freshman Jordan Scott, who had 11 points and was a game-high +24.

Michigan State had the size advantage, which caused the Hoosiers have a bout with foul trouble throughout the game. Indiana’s lack of sixe also led to the starters getting outrebounded 25-5.

Spartans freshman Cam Ward had an impactful stint during the second half with multiple and-one finishes at the rim in his best performance since the Arkansas game. 

The Spartans are set to hit the road for a trip to the Pacific Northwest with the first stop in Seattle, Wash. to take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 17.