Kansas Jayhawks at Michigan State Spartans

Perry Ellis scores 17 as Kansas gets past Michigan State

Perry Ellis had 17 points and nine rebounds to help No. 11 Kansas beat Michigan State 61-56 Sunday in the championship game of the Orlando Classic.

"To me winning the tournament is OK," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "But beating a quality team is more important to me."

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk added 11 points and Frank Mason III chipped in 10 for Kansas (5-1).

Michigan State (5-2) got 14 points from both Denzel Valentine and Travis Trice.

"They found a way to win, give them credit," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "We found a way to lose, give us blame."

Trice's 3 made it 59-56 with 1:36 to play. After both teams failed to score on their next possession, Jamari Traylor hit two free throws in the final minute.

Kansas took its biggest lead at 54-46 on Cliff Alexander's 3-point play with 7½ minutes left.

The Spartans struggled from the floor during the first 12 minutes of the second half, making just 4 of 22 shots (18.2 percent). Kansas was 6 for 17 (35.3) over the same stretch.

Ellis scored on a spin move, Mason made two free throws and Landen Lucas had a layup to put Kansas ahead 45-38 with 14 minutes to play.

"I think this is big," Ellis said. "It's great for us, we came down here and get better as a team. It's a big momentum boost for us."

After Michigan State pulled within three, Lucas' rebound basket made it 47-42 three minutes later.

The Spartans ended shooting just 32.2 percent (19 for 59).

"We just didn't execute very well," Izzo said.

TIP-INS

Kansas: The Jayhawks lost their other game this season against a Top 25 team, 72-40 to No. 1 Kentucky on Nov. 18. ... Kansas is 5-1 or better for the third straight year and 10th time in coach Bill Self's 12 years at the school. ... Mason had 10 rebounds and five assists.

Michigan State: In their other game against a Top 25 team this season, the Spartans were beat on Nov. 18 81-71 by No. 4 Duke. ... Coach Tom Izzo is 4-2 against Kansas. ... Branden Dawson had eight points and nine rebounds.

UP NEXT

Kansas hosts Florida on Friday night as part of the BIG 12-SEC Challenge.

Michigan State will take part in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge Wednesday night at Notre Dame.

How can I watch Kansas vs. Michigan State?

• TV Channel: Kansas at Michigan State 2021 College Basketball, week 3, is broadcasted on ESPN.
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