Rutgers hit five of its final seven field goal attempts of the game, outscoring Michigan State 13-8 in the last 1:55 of the contest to keep its slim hopes of a miracle comeback alive until the final seconds. But ultimately, like much of this season, it would not be enough.

Freshman guard Jase Richardson scored a career-high 20 points and No. 8 Michigan State rolled to its 12th consecutive victory, beating Rutgers 81-74 at Madison Square Garden.

Despite Harper being out of the starting lineup and center Emmanuel Ogbole done for the season due to a knee injury, Rutgers started strong by scoring 10 straight early. Michigan State countered with a 16-1 run to take a double-digit lead as the Scarlet Knights missed 11 straight shots.

The Spartans beat Rutgers for 12 straight wins Saturday at Madison Square Garden with big contributions from Jase Richardson and Coen Carr.