The UCLA men’s basketball team was defeated by Michigan State 82-59 in a Big Ten Conference matchup at the Breslin Center on Tuesday night. Michigan State, ranked No. 15, took control early and maintained its lead throughout the game.
By halftime, Michigan State led UCLA by 20 points with a score of 43-23. The Spartans’ advantage never dropped below 16 points in the second half.
Michigan State had four players scoring in double digits. Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr each scored 16 points to lead their team, while Carson Cooper added 12 points and Jordan Scott contributed 11 points.
The Spartans were efficient from long range, making 14 of their 27 three-point attempts, including eight before halftime. UCLA struggled to keep up offensively, shooting just 37 percent from the field (21-for-57) and making only eight of their 25 three-point shots.
For UCLA, Tyler Bilodeau was the top scorer with 22 points on eight-for-16 shooting and three-for-five from beyond the arc. Skyy Clark was the only other Bruin to reach double figures, finishing with 12 points off the bench.
“Well, we just got thoroughly outplayed,” said Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach. “Michigan State, coming off a loss on the road, they got guys who have been in their program. They got a lot of pride in their program. I thought that was the best game they’ve played all year, 14-for-27 from three – they don’t shoot it like that [normally]. But not a surprise that we took their best shot, not a surprise at all.”
UCLA tried to narrow the gap early in the second half as Bilodeau scored seven quick points but could not significantly reduce Michigan State’s lead. The Spartans extended their margin to as much as 31 points late in regulation.
Michigan State established control with a decisive run midway through the first half and finished that period shooting nearly 58 percent from the field.
UCLA will play next at Pauley Pavilion against No.10 Illinois on Saturday evening. The game is scheduled for February 21 at 5 p.m., broadcast nationally on FOX.
