Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State overcame an ugly opening stretch and a season‑low 23 first‑half points to beat Ohio State 66–60 on Sunday. The Spartans opened with a string of unforced turnovers, “We had four of them before the game started, one in the first 10 seconds. It’s ridiculous,” coach Tom Izzo said, while Buckeyes senior guard Bruce Thornton repeatedly broke down MSU’s defense. Izzo acknowledged the entire game plan revolved around keeping Thornton out of the paint and away from the right elbow, but admitted, “We couldn’t guard him with a fishnet.”
The first half exposed issues Izzo did not sugarcoat: poor paint touches, missed layups and seven turnovers. Michigan State managed only eight points in the paint before the break and looked hesitant against an Ohio State zone that Izzo estimated the Buckeyes used “about 80% of the game.” Still, MSU settled in defensively long enough to avoid falling into a deeper hole, keeping the game within reach despite its offensive struggles.
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(CONTINUED) Senior center Carson Cooper powered the comeback with 20 points and 11 rebounds, giving MSU reliable interior scoring at a moment it desperately needed it. Redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. added late paint touches off ball screens, helping the Spartans build a 10‑point lead with 10 minutes to play. The shots were rarely clean, but Michigan State hit enough and tightened up defensively to protect a six‑point lead through the final minutes.
Even in victory, Izzo’s tone was more frustrated than celebratory. “Somewhere, I didn’t get it through to them,” he said. “This is the time of year you have to be getting better every game. Today, we did not get better.” Izzo noted a subdued Breslin Center crowd early but praised the Izzone for its final home appearance of the season. With a trip to Purdue looming, he said the team would regroup quickly, “Tonight we’ll meet, tomorrow we’ll figure out some things, it gets easier though. We go to Purdue.”
The Spartans travel to Purdue for a Thursday matchup.
