Fears Jr, Michigan State Down Duke in Champions Classic

CHICAGO – Jeremy Fears Jr. had 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as No. 5 Michigan State upset No. 2 Duke dropped a hard-fought battle, 79-73, in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at the United Center.

The Blue Devils (2-1) trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half and rallied to make it a two-possession game multiple times late in the second half, but were unable to complete the comeback.

John Blackwell paced the offense with 17 points, while Patrick Ngongba II also reached double digits with 11 points. The junior led the team in rebounds, assists and blocked shots with seven, six and four, respectively.

The Blue Devils fell to the Spartans for just the third time in the last 14 meetings between the two squads, and Duke’s record in the Champions Classic moves to 9-7.

Duke (2-1) returns home to host SIU Edwardsville (2-2) at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday, Nov. 13.