Michigan State bounced back from a tough loss to No. 1 Kansas with an 86-72 victory over Bowling Green on Saturday night. The Spartans started the game strong with a dunk from Symon Zapala to take an early 2-0 lead, but Bowling Green quickly took control and led by as much as 12 points in the first half.
However, a late 10-0 run by Michigan State tied the game at 43-43 going into halftime. Tre Holloman led the Spartans with 11 points at the break, while Jaden Akins added 8 points after a low-scoring game against Kansas.
In the second half, Michigan State regained the lead and held off Bowling Green’s attempts to pull ahead. With 11:34 left to play, Bowling Green led 62-56, but a lineup change by Coach Tom Izzo shifted the momentum in favor of the Spartans. Players like Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr stepped up, and Carr’s electrifying dunks helped Michigan State take a 66-64 lead.
Despite struggling from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-20 on 3-pointers, Michigan State managed to pull away in the closing minutes and secure their third win of the season. The team will face Samford next at the Breslin Center on Tuesday.
It was interesting to see Jaxon Kohler get the start over Xavier Booker, who had been in the starting lineup for the first three games of the season. Kohler made the most of his opportunity, finishing with 10 points in 16 minutes. Booker, on the other hand, struggled to find his rhythm and only scored 3 points in 10 minutes of play.
The matchup between the Spartans and the Falcons also highlighted the coaching connections between the two teams. Bowling Green’s coach, Todd Simon, is a Fowler grad and has former MSU point guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. as one of his assistant coaches. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, showcasing the ties that often exist within the basketball community.
As Michigan State looks to build on this win and continue their success in the season, fans can expect more exciting moments and competitive matchups in the games to come. The resilience shown by the Spartans in bouncing back from a tough loss demonstrates their determination and ability to overcome challenges on the court.