No. 18 Michigan State beats WMU for sixth straight win

Field Level Media|published: Tue 31st December, 01:07 2024

Dec 30, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Western Michigan Broncos guard Marquese Josephs (1) gets the ball stolen from him by Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Jaden Akins had 18 points and No. 18 Michigan State extended its winning streak to six games by defeating Western Michigan 80-62 on Monday afternoon.

Carson Cooper had 13 points and six rebounds for the Spartans (11-2) in the nonconference game. Coen Carr, Tre Holloman and Jase Richardson tossed in nine points apiece.

Chansey Willis Jr.'s 12 points topped the Broncos (3-9), who have lost five straight. Max Burton added 10 points.

Michigan State led 37-24 at halftime. Both teams had trouble holding onto the ball with each committing 11 turnovers. Akins led the way with 11 points.

The Spartans got off to a slow start, trailing 11-5 through the first five minutes. They got settled by forcing some turnovers, scoring the next 13 points. Richardson got it going with a fast-break dunk. He also had a three-point play during that span.

Western Michigan coach Dwayne Stephens, a former Michigan State assistant, received a technical and Frankie Fidler made both free throws.

A Willis basket ended that run. Western Michigan was still within five points at 27-22 with less than six minutes remaining in the half.

The Spartans then closed out the half with a 10-2 run. An Akins basket started it, and Cooper followed with a dunk and a layup. Szymon Zapala finished it off with a tip-in just before the halftime buzzer.

Western Michigan came out re-energized after the break, scoring the first 10 points of the second half. Willis had a 3-pointer during that outburst and Owen Lobsinger completed it with another 3-pointer. The Spartans scored the next five points, including an Akins 3-pointer.

Michigan State's lead remained in single digits until midway through the half. Willis scored in the lane with 11:56 remaining to make it a four-point game at 49-45. That was as close as the Broncos would get.

A Cooper three-point play and another Zapala putback pushed the Spartans' advantage to 58-47. Michigan State continued to nudge the lead the rest of the way.

--Field Level Media

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