CHICAGO (AP) – Denzel Valentine had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and the senior guard took over the game for No. 13 Michigan State in the second half as the Spartans beat No. 4 Kansas 79-73 at the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at United Center.
Kansas (1-1) had a 13-point lead twice in the first half, the last time at 28-15 with 6:16 to go. Michigan State (2-0) was within 41-35 at halftime but the Jayhawks again opened the lead to double figures at 61-50 with 9:42 to go on a long layup by Frank Mason III.
Valentine, who had career-highs in points and assists, then scored seven points in a 12-1 run to tie the game at 62 with 6:08 to play.
There were six lead changes the rest of the way and it was Valentine who put the Spartans ahead for good at 72-71 on a drive with 1:29 left.
Valentine’s understudy in the comeback was freshman guard Matt McQuaid, who scored six of his nine points on two 3s in the final 3:54 and then he came up with a huge blocked shot of Mason in the final minute.