Jaden Akins had 18 points and No. 18 Michigan State extended their winning streak to six games by defeating Western Michigan, 80-62, on Monday afternoon.
Carson Cooper had 13 points and six rebounds for the Spartans (11-2) in the nonconference game. Coen Carr, Tre Holloman and Jase Richardson tossed in nine points apiece.
Chansey Willis Jr.’s 12 points topped the Broncos (3-9), who have lost five straight. Max Burton added 10 points.
Michigan State led 37-24 at halftime. Both teams had trouble holding onto the ball with each committing 11 turnovers. Akins led the way with 11 points.
The Spartans got off to a slow start, trailing 11-5 through the first five minutes. They got settled by forcing some turnovers, scoring the next 13 points. Richardson got it going with a fast-break dunk. He also had a three-point play during that span.
Western Michigan coach Dwayne Stephens, a former Michigan State assistant, received a technical and Frankie Fidler made both free throws.
A Willis basket ended that run. Western Michigan was still within five points at 27-22 with less than six minutes remaining in the half.
The Spartans then closed out the half with a 10-2 run. An Akins basket started it, and Cooper followed with a dunk and a layup. Szymon Zapala finished it off with a tip-in just before the halftime buzzer.
Western Michigan came out reenergized after the break, scoring the first 10 points of the second half. Willis had a 3-pointer during that outburst and Owen Lobsinger completed it with another 3-pointer. The Spartans scored the next five points, including an Akins 3-pointer.
Michigan State’s lead remained in single digits until midway through the half. Willis scored in the lane with 11:56 remaining to make it a four-point game at 49-45. That was as close as the Broncos would get.
A Cooper three-point play and another Zapala putback pushed the Spartans’ advantage to 58-47. The Spartans continued to nudge the lead the rest of the way.
–Field Level Media
The Minnesota Timberwolves want to make their home court a little less inviting. A year ago, the Timberwolves dominated at home, where they went 30-11 during the regular season. That…
The Toronto Raptors will be out to avenge a humiliating defeat when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies set a franchise record for points when they…
With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Miami Heat will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in a game that will highlight several key players not in uniform. The…
Raptors hope to wipe out memory of last meeting with Grizzlies
Sixers and Heat, both short-handed, set to tangle in Philly
Wizards ride rare winning streak into matchup with Nets
Cavaliers aim to maintain dominance of Pistons
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
