EAST LANSING – Jaden Akins didn’t hesitate when asked to recall Michigan State’s last win against Purdue.

The senior guard immediately cited Tyson Walker burying a game-winning triple in the final seconds. That was three years ago, before the Boilermakers won five straight against the Spartans.

Akins, the lone Michigan State player still around from that 2021-22 squad, didn’t need an additional reminder or more motivation but it was there in the flesh with Walker sitting courtside Tuesday night.

“I knew this game was on the schedule,” Akins said. “I circled this game.”

No. 14 Michigan State pushed past No. 13 Purdue in the second half and put together a late 9-0 run to seal a 75-66 win on Tuesday. That snapped the five-game skid against the Boilermakers, who won nine of the last 10 matchups in the series.

“Understand this, this team has owned us,” coach Tom Izzo. “They really have the last few years.”

Not this time as the two-time defending Big Ten champs trailed by 13 in the second half while Michigan State (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) handed the Boilermakers a third straight loss for the first time in five years.

“I knew today that we needed to get a win by any means necessary,” said Akins.

Akins wasn’t the only Spartan to secure a measure of revenge against the Boilermakers. Forward Frankie Fidler, who transferred to Michigan State in the summer, was a freshman starter at Omaha in a road loss at Purdue.

“They smacked us,” Fidler recalled. “I don’t even want to tell you the score. So, maybe a little extra motivation for me too.”

Purdue won 97-40 that night as Fidler scored only two points but he brought a spark on Tuesday. In a quick second-half burst, he knocked down a triple, came up with a steal and slam, then another steal led to a transition assist. Just like that, Michigan State was up 13.

“I’m just out there every game doing what the team needs for us to win games,” said Fidler, who lost a starting spot in November and on Tuesday hit his first triple in a month while scoring in double figures for just the second time in eight games.

Tuesday’s win against Purdue was arguably the best combined effort by Michigan State’s two transfers in Fidler and center Szymon Zapala. After beginning his college career at Utah State, Zapala spent one season at Longwood before transferring to the Spartans in the summer and shook off a recent slump with nine points and four rebounds against the Boilermakers. The victory keeps Michigan State in the hunt for a Big Ten title heading into Friday’s game at first-place Michigan.

“Growing up, every kid dreams of playing in this type of game,” Zapala said, “this type of environment for something like we have in front of us.”

While No. 12 Michigan (20-5, 12-2) will host Michigan State on five days of rest since its last game, it’s a quick turnaround for the Spartans. The short prep is just another challenge with a trip to Ann Arbor looming in the second of four straight games against top-25 teams.

“It’s the gauntlet of schedules,” Izzo said, “but what an opportunity.”