Michigan State Basketball Closes Nonconference with Victory

News Summary

The No. 15 Michigan State Spartans finished their nonconference play with an 80-62 win against Western Michigan. Despite the victory, the game featured 17 turnovers, leading to a lackluster performance. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 18 points, while the team showcased a strong showing from the bench. As they prepare for their Big Ten schedule, Coach Izzo emphasized the need for improvement.

Michigan State Basketball Wraps Up Nonconference Play with a Win

East Lansing, MI – The No. 15 Michigan State Spartans closed their nonconference schedule with a convincing 80-62 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos. It was an unusual afternoon game on a Monday, and while the victory was sweet, it came with a side of sloppiness that left some fans wanting more.

Game Highlights

Playing in front of a home crowd of about 15,000 enthusiastic fans, the Spartans struggled to deliver the kind of performance that had everyone buzzing. Coach Tom Izzo expressed that the energy from the crowd was palpable, but his team fell short in creating an exhilarating experience. In fact, the Spartans committed a staggering 17 turnovers, which allowed the Broncos to capitalize and score 14 points off these mistakes. That’s not exactly a recipe for domination!

Leading the Spartans

On a brighter note, Jaden Akins stepped up as Michigan State’s leading scorer, pouring in 18 points to help secure the win. Freshman Carson Cooper made a splash with a career-high 13 points along with six rebounds, showcasing his potential to make big plays. Szymon Zapala also played a significant role, finishing with eight points and nine rebounds.

The Spartans shot an impressive 50% from the field overall and had a notable 41-18 advantage in bench points, demonstrating the strength of their reserves. In addition, the team performed exceptionally well from the free-throw line, making 20 of 22 attempts to maintain their lead.

Game Flow

Despite Michigan State’s strong lineup, the game was not without its challenges. Western Michigan got off to an early lead at 11-5 thanks to a rough start from the Spartans, who couldn’t seem to shake off their initial turnovers. However, Michigan State quickly found their rhythm, rolling off a 13-0 run to seize control. By the time the first half concluded, the Spartans were ahead 37-24, with Zapala scoring a tip-in just before the buzzer sounded.

While both teams managed to have an equal number of turnovers with 11 in the first half, Western Michigan struggled to find their offensive footing, shooting only 33.3% overall. They did narrow the gap to 37-34 early in the second half, but the Spartans quickly regained momentum and never looked back.

Moving Forward

The Bronco’s effort was commendable, with Will Green contributing 12 points and Max Burton adding 10 in the scorebook. However, it wasn’t enough to withstand Michigan State’s onslaught as the Spartans continued to build on their lead.

The game marked an emotional return for Western Michigan’s head coach, Dwayne Stephens, a former MSU assistant who played under the legendary Jud Heathcote. This added intrigue to an already engaging matchup as fans remembered his contributions during his time at the Breslin Center.

A Call for Improvement

As the Spartans prepare for their upcoming Big Ten schedule, which kicks off against Ohio State this Friday at 8 p.m., Coach Izzo acknowledged the need for the team to step up their performance. Although they secured the victory, the game served as a reminder that there is still room for growth and improvement before diving into what promises to be a challenging conference lineup. Akins and his teammates know they need to learn valuable lessons from this game as they shift their focus and gear up for what lies ahead.