Two of college basketball's longest-tenured coaches took the court once again. Michigan State and Tom Izzo hosted the Oakland Golden Grizzles and Greg Kampe in their annual meeting Monday night.
First Half
It was a slow start to begin the game as it was just 3-0 before a Jaden Akins three extended the lead to 6-0 for Michigan State in the opening stanza of play. However, at the under-16 timeout, the score was just 8-7 in favor of Michigan State. That early three was a good sign for Akins as the opening section of games saw MSU struggle mightily to shoot.
Oakland came out in their zone and slowed the pace and scoring for Michigan State as the half went along. In the next run of play, entering the under 12 timeouts, Michigan State was ahead just six, 13-7, the score in favor of MSU. Oakland playing hard early was not making anything easy.
This game didn't change as both teams couldn't find a groove. Oakland's zone was just not giving looks to MSU, and when they did, State missed a couple of jumpers. Once again, there was not much scoring between the breaks; a Carson Cooper dunk and a Rocket Watts layup would highlight the stanza. That would bring the game to a 17-11 total score at the under-eight whistle. The two after 12 minutes were a combined 12-40 from the field and a 3-15 from deep early on.
Oakland would not go away; they continued to compete and found the line several times going into the under-four timeout. Spartans would lead 23-19 after another Cooper putback slam.
Michigan State would take advantage of the last two minutes and quickly follow a Coen Carr free throw to bring the score to 24-19. MSU would score soon, including a transition dunk from Akins to finally separate the Spartans.
After twenty minutes of play, Michigan State settled to just an eight-point 30-22 lead. I'm sure fans would have liked a wider margin if you were Sparty.
Neither team shot well in the first half, with Oakland at 29% and Michigan State at 37.5%. Lampman put in three from long range for Oakland to lead the Grizzly first-half tally at nine. Carson Cooper would come off the bench for six points and six rebounds for the Spartans.
It was not a smooth half of basketball in any way, but it was one where Michigan State came out with a halftime lead, 30-22 being the score.
2nd half
The opening minutes of the second half were not like the start of the game at all. Both teams seemed to settle in enough from the first half, and the scoring came quickly. Oakland would call a timeout for the first stoppage of the half at just over 17 minutes left in the game. The Grizzlies had just cut the lead back to 39-28 after Michigan State went up 13.
The Spartans continued to settle in and would get the lead up to 16 with a 46-30 score. Walker hit a three over the stretch.
Michigan State would extend the lead to 20 just before entering the under-12 break with a 51-34 advantage. The gas seemed to run low for Oakland as the energy wasn't the same. Michigan State would open the half with a 27-14 run to give them the separation they had been waiting for. Michigan State would seem to sit around the 20-point lead mark for a bit.
Between the 12 and eight-minute timeouts, Tyson Walker reached 1,000 points at Michigan State. After that, Coen Carr retook flight with a big-time slam to give the Spartans a 25-point lead. With 6:46 remaining, the Spartans led 70-45.
At the final media timeout, Tom Izzo would sub out Tyson Walker with a 21-point lead. Michigan State winded a slow first half and finally seemed to put the game on cruise control.
The Spartans would put a wrap on this game with a final score of MSU 79 Oakland 62.
Tyson Walker with 14 points in his historic night.
Closing
After not having a win in December, Michigan State has put two wins together in three days—a win over the annual matchup with Kampe and the Grizzlies and some sense of relief.
Even with a slow first half, this was a solid game for Michigan State. The defense did what was asked against an inferior opponent. The offense found its stride when the time was needed, and the Spartans moved to 6-5 on the season.