Two of the most successful teams in Big Ten history met up on Saturday, and in the end, the Michigan State Spartans pulled out a thrilling 59-56 win at home over the Ohio State Buckeyes.
No. 11 Ohio State vs. No. 18 Michigan State final score: Spartans hold on for hard-fought win, 59-56
In a clash of Big Ten titans, Michigan State held on at home for a 59-56 victory over Ohio State on Saturday.
Gregory Shamus
Deshaun Thomas, the only Buckeye to score more than six points, had 28 to lead all scorers in the losing effort. Adreian Payne had 14 and Keith Appling had 13 for the Spartans.
This one was a classic from start to finish with Michigan State holding a four-point lead at the half, after the Spartans rushed out of the gate to score the first 10 points.
A trio of three-point field goals in the first 2:15 of the second half put Ohio State back on top. The Buckeyes made 10 from beyond the arc for the game, including one by Lenzelle Smith Jr. with 13 seconds left to cut a four-point Michigan State lead down to one. When Appling made a pair of free throws, the Buckeyes had a chance to tie the game on the final possession, but Shannon Scott rushed a three that missed badly, allowing the Spartans to hold on.
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