MINNEAPOLIS — Fueled by a better-late-than-never breakout game by Alvin Ellis III, Michigan State snapped into form after halftime of the Big Ten opener.

Still-developing Minnesota was left with a stinging defeat.

Ellis made two free throws with 10.6 seconds left in overtime to finish with a career-high 20 points and give Michigan State the lead, capping a 75-74 comeback victory by the Spartans over Minnesota on Tuesday after the Gophers led by 13 points at the break.

“These young guys, they haven’t been through this Big Ten conference play. We know it’s tough, and I’ve been through it, so we needed a lot of leadership,” said Ellis, who initially signed with Minnesota out of De La Salle High School in Chicago four years ago but was granted his release when coach Tubby Smith was fired.

The senior backup tripled his season average with 36 minutes. He went 3 for 7 from 3-point range and added six rebounds, production the Gophers players acknowledged caught them off guard. In and out of Tom Izzo’s favor over the years, Ellis responded well to a recent heart-to-heart talk with the hard-driving head coach.

“He’s got what we lack. He’s got some toughness. So I’m happy for him. I’m actually proud of him. He took a challenge. He responded,” Izzo said.

Michigan State, the worst foul-shooting team in the Big Ten, was 8 for 20 from the line until Ellis stepped up with two swishes following a non-shooting foul by Nate Mason. Nick Ward had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans (9-5, 1-0), who have been trying to survive without standout freshman Miles Bridges.

Mason, who led the Gophers with 18 points, misfired on his off-balance jumper from the lane at the buzzer that would’ve won the game. Jordan Murphy had 12 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, but Minnesota (12-2, 0-1) lost its fourth straight conference opener under coach Richard Pitino.

“There’s going to be plenty more close games, and hopefully we can be on the other side of that,” Pitino said.

Bakary Konate’s putback with 1:28 left gave the Gophers a 72-71 lead, but Eron Harris answered with a drive on the other end. Dupree McBrayer, who had 14 points, put Minnesota ahead again with a pair of free throws with 33.8 seconds left.