No. 15 Michigan State overcame a sluggish start Sunday to defeat Ohio State 66–60 in East Lansing, using a decisive second-half surge and dominant rebounding to secure a key Big Ten victory. Carson Cooper delivered a career-best performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden Akins and Jeremy Fears Jr. added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Spartans struggled early, shooting under 30 percent in the first half and trailing 26–23 at the break as Ohio State controlled tempo behind star guard Bruce Thornton. The Buckeyes standout scored 32 points — moving into second place on the program’s all-time scoring list — and repeatedly kept his team within striking distance despite limited support and key absences.
Michigan State seized control midway through the second half, unleashing an 18–6 run that flipped a 45–43 deficit into a multi-possession lead. Cooper’s interior scoring and rebounding anchored the push, while Akins’ late free throws helped close out the win after Ohio State cut the margin to three in the final seconds.
The Buckeyes played shorthanded without John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal, yet remained competitive throughout, even holding a second-half lead before the Spartans’ rally. Ohio State ultimately fell to 0–9 in Quad 1 games this season, hurting its NCAA Tournament résumé despite Thornton’s standout effort.
For Michigan State, the victory improved the Spartans to 22–5 overall and 12–4 in conference play, reinforcing their push toward a top-four Big Ten finish and strong NCAA Tournament seeding. Ohio State dropped to 17–10 (9–7 Big Ten) but showed resilience that could prove valuable once its roster returns to full health.
The matchup highlighted two contrasting storylines: Michigan State’s depth and inside dominance versus Ohio State’s reliance on its star guard. In the end, the Spartans’ rebounding edge and timely execution proved decisive in a physical conference battle with postseason implications.
