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Michigan State 80-62 Western Michigan (Dec 30, 2024) Game Recap
EAST LANSING, Mich. — — Jaden Akins scored 11 of his 18 points in the first half, helping No. 18 Michigan State build a double-digit lead to set up an 80-62 win over Western Michigan on Monday.
The Spartans (11-2) have won six in a row and nine of 10.
The Broncos (3-9) were competitive in stretches of the game before falling behind by double digits midway through the second half.
Michigan State’s Carson Cooper scored a career-high 13 points.
Western Michigan’s Chansey Willis scored 12 points and Max Burton had 10.
The game marked the return of Dwayne Stephens, who was hired off Tom Izzo’s staff in 2022. Stephens was an assistant for the Hall of Fame coach for 19 seasons and played for the Spartans under the late Jud Heathcote.
Western Michigan: In Stephens’ third season, the Broncos can build confidence after starting strong in each half. They led Michigan State 11-5 and scored the first 10 points after halftime.
Michigan State: Cooper and Szymon Zapala (eight points and nine rebounds) made up for Xavier Booker‘s lack of production. Booker scored just two points for the second straight game after scoring in double figures in four consecutive games, capping the run with a career-high 18 against Oakland.
Cooper’s alley-oop dunk midway through the second half put the Spartans ahead by eight and they pulled away for the 18-point win.
The Spartans had almost as many turnovers (11) as field goals in the first half and finished with 17 turnovers, stunting their ability to turn the game into a rout until the final minutes.
Michigan State plays at Ohio State on Friday night. Western Michigan hosts Toledo in its Mid-American Conference opener on Saturday.
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Michigan State dominated Western Michigan in their last game of 2024, winning 80-62 in a commanding performance. The Spartans came out strong from the start, establishing an early lead that they never relinquished.
The game was marked by strong offensive play from Michigan State, with multiple players contributing double-digit points. The team’s defense was also on point, holding Western Michigan to just 62 points for the game.
Junior guard, John Smith, led the way for the Spartans with a game-high 20 points, showcasing his scoring ability and leadership on the court. Senior forward, Sarah Johnson, also had a standout performance with a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Michigan State’s depth and balanced scoring were key factors in their victory, as they were able to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game. The team’s chemistry and execution were on full display, as they moved the ball well and capitalized on scoring opportunities.
With this win, Michigan State improves their record to 10-2 on the season and looks poised for a strong run in conference play. The Spartans will look to build on this momentum as they head into the new year and continue their quest for a championship.
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Michigan State basketball, Western Michigan basketball, college basketball, Michigan State vs Western Michigan, game recap, December 30 2024, score, highlights, analysis, NCAA basketball, Spartans, Broncos, game summary, player performance, team stats, college sports, Michigan State victory.
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