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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Szymon Zapala scored a season-high 15 points and No. 18 Michigan State made 8 of 10 free throws to hold off Ohio State 69-62 on Friday night for its third straight victory for start Big Ten game.
Zapala went on a 12-0 run to build a 14-point lead for the Spartans (12-2, 3-0). However, the Buckeyes rallied when John Mobley Jr. hit a 3-pointer and Bruce Thornton followed with a jumper with 8:47 left, 50-49.
Ohio State (9-5, 1-2) then committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions. After Thornton’s second turnover in less than a minute, Xavier Booker drove the length of the court for a three-point play. Tre Holloman hit a 3-pointer and Booker made a dunk to give Michigan State a 57-50 lead. Micah Parrish hit two 3-pointers and Mobley added a third, but the Spartans finished 8 of 10 from the line.
Jaden Akins was 5 of 6 from the free throw line, going 3 of 4 in the final minute, to finish with 14 points for Michigan State. Coen Carr was 7 of 8 at the line and added 11 points. Jaxon Kohler grabbed 10 rebounds.
Parrish was 3 of 6 from 3-point range and finished with 13 points to lead Ohio State. Thornton finished with 10 points.
Takeaway meals
Michigan State was able to attack the rim consistently.
Ohio State shot 36.7% from the floor at home, making 22 of 60 field goals, including 7 of 27 on 3-pointers.
Key moment
After Ohio State used a 7-0 run to take a 50-49 lead, Booker converted a Thornton turnover into a three-point play to put the Spartans back in front.
Key Statistics
Michigan State scored 56 of its 69 points either in the paint or from the free throw line.
Next
Michigan State hosts Washington on Thursday and Ohio State plays at Minnesota on Monday.