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Michigan State holds off Ohio State behind Carson Cooper’s double-double
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Michigan State was locked in a tight one with Ohio State on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans, though, eventually took care of business, beating the Buckeyes 66-60 at the Breslin Center.
Carson Cooper scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding 11 rebounds as the Spartans moved to 22-5 (12-4 Big Ten) and remained in a three-way tie for third in the conference with Purdue and Nebraska. Ohio State fell to 17-10 (9-7 B1G).
Ohio State led for a good portion of the first half, going into the break up 26-23 and holding a 45-43 advantage midway through the second half. But Michigan State later took the lead for good as Jeremy Fears sank a pair of free throws to put the Spartans up 47-45 with 8:37 to go.
With the Spartans up 63-53 with a minute and a half to play, the Buckeyes made it interesting, going on a 7-0 run to cut it to 63-60 with 14 seconds left. Michigan State, though, held on to avoid an upset on its home court.
Jordan Scott had 12 points for the Spartans. Fears, despite a 2-of-7 day from the floor, dished out eight assists and scored 11 points as he and Scott joined Cooper in double figures.
Bruce Thornton led all scores with 32 points. Christopher Tilly (10 points, eight rebounds) was the only other Buckeyes player in double figures.
The Spartans held a huge edge in rebounding, enjoying a 43-26 advantage. That included a 15-4 mark on the offensive glass.
Michigan State is on the road on Thursday as it visits Purdue for a key B1G matchup in West Lafayette. Ohio State visits Iowa on Wednesday.
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