Zach Edey helps No. 2 Purdue hold off Michigan State

Zach Edey had 32 points and 11 rebounds and No. 2 Purdue clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with an 80-74 victory over Michigan State in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday night.

Braden Smith had 23 points and nine rebounds for Purdue (26-3, 15-3 Big Ten), while Fletcher Loyer added 15 points.

Tyson Walker had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Michigan State (17-12, 9-9), which has lost three straight. Jaden Akins had 13 points, Malik Hall contributed 12 and Xavier Booker chipped in 11.

The Boilermakers scored the first basket of the game, which was answered by a Walker jumper. Hall then hit a 3-pointer and Michigan State held the lead for most of the half.

Tre Holloman gave the Spartans an eight-point advantage, 24-16, with a 3-pointer. The Boilermakers then went on an 11-2 run that included a trio of 3-pointers from Loyer to take the lead.

Edey had a dunk and a layup on consecutive possessions to increase Purdue's lead to 35-30. Smith then drained a 3-pointer from the wing.

Walker pulled the Spartans within three, 38-35, at halftime with a layup and 3-pointer in the final minute.

Purdue steadily built its lead in the second half. Smith made a layup on its first possession and Loyer hit another 3-pointer 13 seconds later.

Edey gave the Boilermakers a double-digit advantage at 47-37 with a putback. His three-point play with 14:26 gave Purdue a 54-39 lead.

Akins scored six straight points to bring Michigan State within nine points. The Spartans continued to chip away, as A.J. Hoggard's three-point play midway through the half cut the Boilermakers' lead to 58-52.

Hoggard's 3-pointer from the wing sliced Purdue's advantage to three. Smith answered with a 3-pointer after a timeout.

After the Spartans crept within five points, Edey and Smith made layups for a 69-60 lead. Michigan State hung around and cut it to 74-69 with 1:26 left on Hoggard's runner in the lane.

Mason Gillis' 3-pointer with 58 seconds essentially clinched the victory.