MSU Basketball earns share of Big Ten Championship with win over Ohio State

Michigan State basketball beat Ohio State, earning a share of the Big Ten Championship. Read a game recap of this game here.

Michigan State basketball thumped Ohio State 80-69, earning a share of the Big Ten Championship. This was an emotional Senior Day for Cassius Winston, Kyle Ahrens, and Conner George. Cassius led the Spartans with 27 points, six assists, and four rebounds.

Here is a game recap:

First Half

Michigan State scored the first four points of this game. Afterward, Ohio State went on a 7-0 run. The Spartans thundered right back with a 12-0 run of their own until an Ohio State free throw. This run involved back-to-back threes from Rocket Watts. Then, Xavier Tillman then hit a mid-range jumper, giving MSU an 18-10 lead with 13 minutes left in the first half.

Michigan State held an 11 point lead when Winston went to the bench. Ohio State junior Andre Wesson converted on an and-one opportunity down low in the paint. Rocket Watts hit another ridiculous three-pointer off the backboard. Both teams traded buckets back and forth. The Spartans remain ahead 31-21 with six minutes left in the first half.

In two minutes, Ohio State cut the Spartan’s 12-point lead in half. Both teams traded buckets again. Then, Xavier Tillman hit a buzzer-beater fade away to close the first half. Spartans led the Buckeyes 38-32.

Second Half

Ohio State pressed the Spartans hard in the first five minutes of the second half. Andre Wesson scored down low, tying the game at 42 points apiece. Both teams scored again, tying the game at 44-44 with 15 minutes left in the game.

Cassius Winston scored on back-to-back possessions, hitting a mid-range jumper then a three-pointer. This started a 9-2 run for Michigan State which included two layups from Aaron Henry. The Spartans ahead 53-46 with 12 minutes remaining.

Cassius Winston hit another three-pointer, making this his seventh 20-point game of the year. Rocket Watts was then fouled on a made three-point shot. His and-one conversion put the Spartans ahead by 11 points with less than 9 minutes in the game.

Malik Hall blocked a shot for an important defensive stop, keeping the Spartans ahead by double digits. Aaron Henry scored in transition to put MSU ahead by 12 points, matching their greatest lead of the game. The Spartans then pushed their lead to 16 points with five minutes remaining.

Winston hit a step-back three, giving Michigan State a 20 point lead. Ohio State cut the lead down by 11 points before the end of the game. The Spartans enjoyed a strong victory on Senior Day.

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