No. 2 Michigan State edges No. 13 Purdue, 66-62, in Big Ten championship game

Denzel Valentine finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead No. 2 Michigan State past No. 13 Purdue, 66-62, in Sunday’s Big Ten Tournament championship game.

He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after flirting with triple-doubles on three consecutive days. Michigan State (29-5) has won 13 of 14 and has its fifth tourney title, giving them an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Purdue (26-8) was led by Vince Edwards with 19 points while A.J. Hammons and Caleb Swanigan had 11 each.

Michigan State took control with two 9-0 runs late in the first half and extended the margin to as much as 46-33 early in the second.

The Boilermakers charged back and got as close as 62-61 with 2:50 left when Rapheal Davis made two free throws.

But Valentine made a 16-footer with 1:45 left and the Spartans didn’t give up another basket.

Valentine was sensational again, making big play after big play.

He thwarted one of Purdue’s late runs by stripping the ball from Johnny Hill, driving the length of the court and drawing a foul.

Then, after losing his balance on a drive, Valentine flipped an alley-oop pass almost from his knees for a dunk.

He wasn’t finished.

After Hammons’ dunk got the Boilermakers within 52-51 with 7:48 left, Valentine grabbed the rebound of his own miss and quickly found Bryn Forbes open for a 3-pointer.

And twice in the final minute, when Purdue had a chance to take the lead and tie the score, Valentine came up with defensive rebounds to seal it.

Michigan State and Ohio State each have five tourney championships, though the Buckeyes later had to vacate the 2002 title.