Jeremy Fears’ 26 points help No. 10 Michigan State beat No. 5 Illinois in overtime

Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 26 points, including a game-clinching 3-point play with 1:47 left in overtime, and had 15 assists to help No. 10 Michigan State hold on for an 85-82 win over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday night. With a chance to send the game into the second overtime, Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic missed a 3-point basket at the buzzer. The Spartans (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) knocked the Fighting Illini (20-4, 11-2) out of first place in the Big Ten and ended their 12-game winning streak. Illinois’ David Mirkovic scored 18 points, Andrej Stojakovic 17 points and Tomislav Ivisic fouled out with 2:22 left in overtime after scoring 12 points. Illini freshman Keaton Wagler, who averaged more than 27 points in the previous four games, missed 14 of 16 shots and scored 16. [COLLEGE HOOPS: Meet Keaton Wagler: 5 Things To Know About the Illinois Guard] The fears began and were evident more than 40 minutes after coach Tom Izzo debated whether to discipline the standout point guard with limited playing time after his sportsmanship was questioned in two straight games. At the end of the first half, Fears came under scrutiny again. Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood asked officials to look into whether Fears intentionally tripped David Mirkovic after stopping in front of him. Underwood lost the appeal. [COLLEGE HOOPS: Meet Jeremy Fears Jr.: 5 Things To Know About the Michigan State Guard] Michigan State’s Kur Teng made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds left in regulation and Jake Davis tied the game at 71 with two free throws after he was fouled on a putback attempt on the ensuing possession. Illinois led 39-35 at halftime after six ties and nine lead changes and led by nine points early in the second half. Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler had 11 points and 16 rebounds while Jordan Scott and Teng scored 10 each. Next, Illinois hosts Wisconsin on Tuesday and Michigan State plays at Wisconsin on Friday. Associated Press reporting.