LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Kansas capped a terrific weekend with a big win.
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."
Svi 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 7 1-2 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 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.
