Michigan State is off to a better start than we saw last year.
The Spartans picked up a convincing 81-57 victory over Monmouth in Monday night’s season-opener. The Spartans led the entire game, with a double-digit advantage for most of the night.
The Spartans used a stifling defensive effort to build a comfortable early lead over the Hawks. Michigan State held Monmouth to only 25 percent shooting from the field, but poor shooting (1-of-10) from the Spartans from three-point range kept the game in strike at halftime. Michigan State led 38-27 at the break.
Monmouth came out firing in the second half, cutting the Spartans’ lead down to only two possessions within the first few minutes of the frame. However, from that point, Michigan State would take control and eventually pull away. The Spartans would lead by double-digits for the final 14:36 in the game.
Michigan State was led in scoring by Jaden Akins, who finished with 23 points. That total matched Akins’ career-high. He also had nine rebounds in the win for a near double-double.
Jase Richardson also reached double-digits in points with 10, while Coen Carr, Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala all finishing with nine points.
Jeremy Fears led the Spartans offense from the point with eight assists. It was his first official game back since last December when he suffered a season-ending injury from a gunshot wound during the holiday break.
Michigan State will return to the court on Thursday in another home non-conference matchup against Niagara. Tipoff from the Breslin Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
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