Michigan State ends long drought at Mackey Arena as Purdue’s last-second chance falls short in a crucial Big Ten clash.
Match Summary: Michigan State Holds Nerve in Final Moments: No. 13 Michigan State secured a dramatic 76-74 victory over No. 8 Purdue in a high-intensity Big Ten matchup at Mackey Arena on February 26, 2026.
The game went down to the final possession, but Purdue point guard Braden Smith’s deep three-pointer at the buzzer missed, allowing the Spartans to escape with a narrow win.
This victory was historic for Michigan State as it marked their first win at Mackey Arena since 2014, ending a long losing streak at one of the toughest venues in college basketball.
Michigan State vs Purdue: Scorecard
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 36 | 40 | 76 |
| Purdue | 39 | 35 | 74 |
Purdue led at halftime, but Michigan State’s strong second-half performance made the difference.
Turning Point: Second-Half Efficiency and Purdue Turnovers
Michigan State took control after the break by shooting close to 60% in the second half. Their inside scoring and transition play helped them build a lead of as many as eight points late in the game.
One major factor was Purdue’s mistakes.
Key Game Factors
- Michigan State scored 19 points off Purdue turnovers
- Several Purdue giveaways were converted into fast-break points
- Spartans dominated the paint in the second half
- Purdue went over four minutes without a field goal during a crucial stretch
Despite a late 10-3 Purdue run, Michigan State managed the clock well and protected the lead.
Braden Smith Creates History with 1,000 Career Assists
Even in defeat, Purdue’s Braden Smith achieved a major milestone.
Smith’s Historic Night
- Became the 5th player in NCAA Division I history to reach 1,000 career assists
- Recorded his milestone assist on a play finished by Trey Kaufman-Renn
- Finished the game with:
- 12 points
- 10 assists
- 5 rebounds
Smith now has over 1,000 career assists and is within reach of the all-time record of 1,076.
Earlier this season, he had already broken the Big Ten career assist record, further strengthening his legacy.
Top Performers
Purdue
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braden Smith | 12 | 10 | 5 |
| Trey Kaufman-Renn | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Oscar Cluff | 10 | – | 4 |
| Jack Benter | 11 | – | – |
Michigan State
| Player | Points |
|---|---|
| Carson Cooper | 15 |
| Kur Teng | 13 |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. | 12 |
| Coen Carr | Double figures |
Carson Cooper’s inside scoring was especially important during Michigan State’s second-half push.
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How the Game Unfolded
- Purdue started strong and led 13-6 early
- Michigan State responded with a 10-0 run
- Purdue held a 39-36 halftime lead
- The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle
- Spartans went on a 17-8 run to create separation
- Purdue had two late chances:
- Missed close-range shot with under 10 seconds left
- Smith’s buzzer three missed
What the Result Means for Purdue
This loss has significant implications:
- Purdue drops to fifth in the Big Ten standings
- Their chances of winning the conference title are now very slim
- NCAA Tournament seeding could be affected
- Home losses to top conference rivals have hurt their title hopes
With three regular-season games remaining, the Boilermakers must finish strong to secure a favorable postseason position.
Emotional Moment at Mackey Arena
Before the game, a moment of silence was held to honor former Purdue football star Rondale Moore, who passed away recently at age 25. The emotional tribute added a somber tone to the night.
Purdue will look to bounce back quickly as they travel to Ohio State before finishing the regular season against Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Michigan State, meanwhile, strengthened its position in the Big Ten race and boosted its NCAA Tournament profile with a key road win.
FAQs
Q1. What was the final score of Michigan State vs Purdue?
Michigan State defeated Purdue 76-74.
Q2. Who hit the game-winning shot?
Michigan State held the lead in the final seconds. Purdue’s last shot, a three-pointer by Braden Smith, missed at the buzzer.
Q3. What milestone did Braden Smith achieve?
Smith became the fifth player in NCAA Division I history to record 1,000 career assists.
Q4. When was Michigan State’s last win at Mackey Arena before this?
The Spartans last won there in 2014.
Q5. How many points off turnovers did Michigan State score?
Michigan State converted Purdue turnovers into 19 points.
