Michigan State rides its depth to dump Penn State; win streak at 10

Connor Earegood, The Detroit News on Jan 15, 2025

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — A 10-point lead faded to four in the final minute, but now the Michigan State men’s basketball team has its 10th straight win.

Riding deep contributions that saw eight players score seven points or more, No. 12 Michigan State beat Penn State, 90-85, Wednesday at Breslin Center. Though foul trouble and tough finishes from the Nittany Lions made it close, Michigan State survived these elements for a gritty win.

Forward Frankie Fidler led the Spartans (15-2, 6-0 Big Ten) with 18 points while guard Jaden Akins picked up 16. Guard Ace Baldwin Jr. led Penn State with 20 points. Michigan State led 36-32 in rebounds, with Fidler's seven leading the way.

If Michigan State felt it didn’t shoot the 3 enough Sunday at Northwestern, then it made up for it against Penn State (12-6, 2-5). Seven of its first nine shots came from behind the arc, with just three of those falling. Even forward Jaxon Kohler got in on the action, nailing a corner 3 for his first make since Dec. 4 at Minnesota. By the end of the first half, the Spartans shot 3 for 13 from deep. Penn State shot 4 for 15. By the end of the game, the Spartans shot 6 for 23 from 3.

Though the lid wouldn’t come off from deep, Michigan State found enough room to work inside as 24 of its 46 first-half points came in the paint. These included mainstays like forward Coen Carr’s dunk from outside the lane, as well as a number of reverse-layups and assorted finger-roll finishes at the rim. But where the inside attack shined brightest was its ability to get to the free-throw line.

Penn State fouled early and often, including inside the paint. By the end of the half, the Nittany Lions were booked for 11 fouls out of 19 in the half. Michigan State shot 11 for 12 from the line.

One major foul call went against Michigan State: a technical foul on point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. halfway through the first half. Fears earned the call after getting into words with Baldwin, who made contact with center Szymon Zapala on a layup try after a foul call. Fears sat on the bench while Baldwin shot free throws, and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo lit into his point guard. Fears recorded two assists once he returned two minutes later.

Baldwin, listed questionable to play with a back injury, scored seven points in the first half. But Penn State’s injury worries weren’t over, however, as starting guard Puff Johnson went to the locker room halfway through the first half. He returned after the break with a wrap on his right wrist.

In place of Johnson, guard D'Marco Dunn came off the bench and led Penn State with 10 points in the first half. By the end of the game, Dunn had 18.

Michigan State ended the first half up 46-36, with Carr’s nine points off the bench leading the way. All 10 players in the rotations scored, and five different players scored at least five points. Nine assisted a basket and eight hauled in a board. This was truly basketball by committee.

Michigan State’s lead shrunk early in the second half, as Penn State came out and hit seven of its first eight shots, which included eight points from Dunn. A 10-point MSU lead fell all the way to two.

Each time Penn State drew closer, though, the Spartans found a bucket from someone to get a little more separation. That included a 3 from forward Frankie Fidler. His 16-point outing was his most productive of the season.

Eventually, Michigan State’s defense found its rhythm. Three steals helped cool off Penn State’s offensive outburst. The Spartans led 64-55 at the under-12 timeout.

Penn State pushed the pace after the timeout, with guard Nick Kern and Baldwin combining for seven points in 1:48. But Michigan State, as it had all game, found offense by committee. First, forward Xavier Booker put together five straight points with rare aggression around the rim. Then Fidler continued his breakout performance, not only scoring a pair of buckets but also getting rebounds.

But for the second straight game, Michigan State fell into foul trouble in the second half. The Spartans committed 13 fouls in the final frame, with Penn State picking up 13 points at the free-throw line.

Those fouls, along with some tough finishes by Penn State, made the game close in the final minutes. And in the final minute, guard Jase Richardson took a foul while defending a Baldwin drive. Baldwin split his free throws, and Michigan State led by four with 56.6 seconds to play.

Penn State kept pace off the hot hand of Zach Hicks, who hit four straight 3s across the final 4:21 of the game. But it wasn't enough to pull all the way even, and a trio of Tre Holloman free throws sealed the win.

MSU's defense gave up its most points since Nov. 27 in the Maui Invitational against North Carolina. The Spartans scored 90 points for the first time since Dec. 4 against Minnesota. Michigan State’s next game is Sunday, when it hosts Illinois.