Ohio State vs Michigan State: Who Won Last Night?
The Ohio State vs Michigan State rivalry is one of the most heated in college basketball, and last night’s game at the Breslin Center in East Lansing was no exception. The Buckeyes and Spartans battled it out for 40 minutes in a highly competitive game that ended with Ohio State pulling away with a 75-64 victory.
Ohio State’s Offense Shines
The Buckeyes came out of the gates firing, as they jumped out to an early 10-4 lead. Ohio State was led by forward Kaleb Wesson, who scored 10 of his 25 points in the first half. Wesson was unstoppable in the paint, as he was able to get to the rim at will and draw fouls on the Michigan State defenders. His presence inside allowed the Buckeyes to open up the perimeter, as they were able to knock down six threes in the first half.
Michigan State Struggles to Find Offensive Rhythm
The Spartans were led by guard Cassius Winston, who had a solid game with 15 points. However, Michigan State struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first half, as they were held to just 36 points. The Spartans had trouble getting into their sets and were often forced into tough shots late in the shot clock. They also had trouble creating open looks from the perimeter, as they only connected on two of their 13 three-point attempts.
Ohio State Pulls Away in the Second Half
The Buckeyes came out of halftime with a sense of urgency and extended their lead to as many as 12 points in the second half. Ohio State was able to maintain their lead throughout, as they shot 50% from the field and held Michigan State to just 28% shooting in the second half. The Buckeyes were able to put the game away late with their free throw shooting, as they connected on 11 of their 14 attempts in the final minutes.
Key Contributors
In addition to Wesson’s dominant performance, Ohio State was also buoyed by the play of guard Duane Washington Jr. Washington finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, while shooting 6-for-10 from the field. The Buckeyes also got a big boost from freshman forward E.J. Liddell, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Michigan State’s Bright Spots
Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for the Spartans. Forward Xavier Tillman had an efficient game, as he finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Michigan State also got a spark from guard Rocket Watts, who came off the bench to score 11 points.
The Impact on the Big Ten Standings
The win was a big one for the Buckeyes, as it moved them into a tie with Michigan State for second place in the Big Ten standings. Ohio State is now 18-9 overall and 11-6 in the conference, while Michigan State drops to 18-9 and 11-6.
What’s Next?
Ohio State will now turn their attention to their next game, as they face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday. The Buckeyes will look to continue their hot streak, as they have won six out of their last seven games.
What We Learned
- Ohio State was led by Kaleb Wesson and Duane Washington Jr., who both had stellar performances.
- Michigan State struggled to find an offensive rhythm, as they were held to just 36 points in the first half.
- Ohio State pulled away late in the second half, as they connected on 11 of their 14 free throw attempts.
- The Impact on the Big Ten standings was huge, as the Buckeyes moved into a tie for second place with the Spartans.
It was a hard-fought battle between two rivals, and in the end, it was Ohio State that came away with the victory. The Buckeyes were led by a dominant performance from Kaleb Wesson, while Michigan State struggled to find an offensive rhythm. The win was a big one for the Buckeyes, as it moved them into a tie for second place in the Big Ten standings. Ohio State will now turn their attention to their next game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday.