Photo: Craig Strobeck ~ Imagn Images
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State wrapped up its West Coast road trip with a gritty 68–52 win over Oregon on Tuesday night, grinding through a Ducks team that, despite being shorthanded, kept things tight deep into the second half. The Spartans struggled early to generate separation, briefly losing momentum before a decisive late push gave them control for good. Even with the Ducks mixing zone and man coverages to disrupt rhythm, Michigan State’s poise and depth ultimately dictated the night.
The star of the game was senior center Carson Cooper, who delivered a career-high 19 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting line while grabbing seven rebounds. His presence in the paint became Michigan State’s most reliable offensive option, particularly during a key stretch early in the second half when the Spartans desperately needed steadiness. Beside him, junior forward Coen Carr added 15 points and eight rebounds, showcasing a mix of physicality and timely buckets, including plays that helped Michigan State pull away during its late 30–15 finishing surge.
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(CONTINUED) Michigan State’s bench, although still searching for a consistent identity, came up with important supplemental scoring, most notably from senior guard Trey Fort, who chipped in nine points off the bench, including a couple of momentum-setting jumpers late in the first half and a smooth midrange shot stemming from Cooper’s screen work. Those contributions proved vital on a night when the Spartans’ offense wasn’t always fluid and Oregon occasionally seized brief stretches of control.
Despite Oregon’s resilience, especially from senior guard Takai Simpkins, who scored 15 points to keep the Ducks within striking distance early, the Ducks simply couldn’t withstand Michigan State’s interior strength and late-game execution. As Oregon faltered, hurt by injuries and losing junior forward Ege Demir in the second half, Michigan State surged, leaning on its physical advantage, defensive pressure and a star-making performance from Cooper. The win sends the Spartans home with confidence after a two-game sweep out West, improving to 17–2 overall and 7–1 in Big Ten play.
The Spartans return home on Saturday afternoon as they host Maryland.
