Jase Richardson scores 17 to lead No. 7 Michigan St. past No. 23 Oregon 74-64 in Big Ten Tournament

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Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts to a play against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jase Richardson (11) reacts to a three-point basket against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad (3) drives on Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Oregon guard Ra’Heim Moss (0) shoots on Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) collects the ball ahead of Oregon guard TJ Bamba (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) and Oregon forward Brandon Angel (21) battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) looks to dunk on Oregon guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (9) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) and Oregon center Nate Bittle (32) reach for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jase Richardson (11) shoots on Oregon center Nate Bittle (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) passes around Oregon forward Luke Johnson (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jase Richardson (11) drives on Oregon center Nate Bittle , left, and Oregon guard TJ Bamba, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) shoots on Oregon center Nate Bittle (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) drives to the basket against Oregon guard Jadrian Tracey (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jase Richardson scored 17 points and Jeremy Fears Jr. added 11 points and five assists to lead No. 7 Michigan State past No. 23 Oregon 74-64 in the first of Friday’s four Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal games.

The Spartans (27-5) have now won eight straight, matching a season best. The league’s regular-season champion will face either No. 18 Wisconsin or fourth-seeded UCLA in Saturday’s first semifinal game.

Jaden Akins had 12 points for the Spartans while Coen Carr had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Nate Bittle finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Ducks (24-9). TJ Bamba added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Michigan State scored the final seven points of the first half to take a 42-32 lead and used a 15-0 second half run to pull away after Oregon had cut the deficit to 44-43 with 15:33 left.

Takeaways

Oregon: The Ducks certainly made a case for improving their NCAA Tournament seed with two solid showings in Indianapolis. Though they didn’t reach the semifinals, they played well enough for 25 minutes Friday to help their cause.

Michigan State: Coach Tom Izzo’s team is playing like a Final Four contender. Can the Spartans get a No. 1 seed? That may be too much to ask since they’d need substantial help this weekend, but sweeping the Big Ten titles would help.

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Key moment

Michigan State responded to Izzo’s timeout after Oregon made it a one-point game by pitching a shutout over the next nearly 5 1/2 minutes.

Key stat

Despite only a 36-29 rebounding advantage, Michigan State outscored Oregon 16-4 in second-chance points.

Up next

The Spartans beat Wisconsin and lost to UCLA in their only meetings this season. Oregon will find out its next matchup on Selection Sunday.

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