Jaden Akins scores 19, No. 8 Michigan State beats No. 11 Wisconsin 71-62 for 5th straight victory

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jaden Akins scored 19 points and Jaxon Kohler had 10 pounds and a career-high 16 rebounds to lead No. 8 Michigan State to a 71-62 win over No. 11 Wisconsin on Sunday.

The Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) have won five straight, putting them in position to contend for the conference championship with a week left in the regular season.

The Badgers (22-7, 12-6) had won six of seven.

Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson overcame foul trouble in the first half to finish with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Wisconsin’s John Blackwell had 19 points and John Tonje scored 11 in a starting lineup that was without injured guard Max Klesmit.

The Badgers led by nine points early in the game and were ahead 34-32 at halftime. Richardson’s all-around game helped the Spartans take control early in the second half.