EAST LANSING, Mich. — Keith Appling scored 15 points, including the go-ahead layup in the final minute, as No. 17 Michigan State extended its winning streak to five games with a 59-56 victory over No. 11 Ohio State at Breslin Center on Saturday.
Adreian Payne had 14 points and Branden Dawson added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans (16-3 overall, 5-1 Big Ten). Michigan State is 12-0 at home.
Buckeyes junior forward Deshaun Thomas, the conference’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game, led his club with 28 points. The Buckeyes (13-4, 3-2) hadn’t played since defeating then No. 2 Michigan 56-53 on Sunday, denying the Wolverines an opportunity to gain the No. 1 ranking. Aaron Craft made five steals to tie Ohio State’s all-time steals record of 204 set by Jay Burson (1986-89).
Dawson had two putbacks during an 8-1 Spartans spurt to give them a 42-36 lead. Thomas responded with his third 3-pointer of the second half but Michigan State maintained the lead until another Thomas 3-pointer with 2:51 left forged a 50-50 tie.
Payne’s three-point play after Thomas unsuccessfully tried for a steal put the Spartans back on top with 2:05 remaining. Craft then forced two turnovers and his club made three free throws to tie it again.
Appling’s driving layup with 41.5 seconds left put Michigan State in front, 55-53. Craft missed a 3-pointer and Appling made a fast-break dunk for a four-point advantage. Lenzelle Smith’s 3-pointer cut it to one with 10.8 seconds remaining but Appling responded with two free throws. Shannon Scott’s off-balance 3-pointer then failed to hit the rim.
The Spartans scored the last six points of the first half to grab a 30-26 halftime lead. Michigan State got off to a quick start, holding Ohio State scoreless for the first 4:40 while scoring the first 10 points.
Thomas didn’t score until he made a 3-pointer over Payne with 12:50 left in the half, but he wound up with 10 points at halftime. Ohio State’s nine turnovers led to its halftime deficit.
After Craft’s layup gave Ohio State a 26-24 advantage, Appling scored back-to-back baskets on a layup and pull-up jumper. Spartans reserve guard Travis Trice completed the first-half scoring with a steal and layup.
The teams tied with Michigan for the Big Ten regular-season title last season before the Spartans defeated the Buckeyes for the conference tournament championship.
NOTES: Ohio State had won three of the last four meetings at East Lansing. … Ohio State was the first of eight ranked opponents that Michigan State will play over the next 11 games. … Thomas averaged 7.8 points on 29.7 percent shooting in his four prior games against Michigan State. … The Spartans had out-rebounded all but one of their previous 18 opponents this season. … Appling was shooting just 30.8 percent in conference games. … Spartans coach Tom Izzo has a 21-11 record against Ohio State.
Continue Reading: Michigan State 59, Ohio State 56 (The SportsXchange)
