Michigan State Suffers First Big Ten Loss vs. Penn State
The Michigan State Spartans picked up their first conference loss on Saturday, losing to the Penn State Nittany Lions 72-63 at the Palestra.
The Michigan State Spartans‘ (11-6, 3-1) three-game conference winning streak came to a halt on Saturday with a 72-63 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions (10-7, 2-2) at the Palestra in Philadelphia.
An 8-0 run early in the first half gave Penn State a lead they would not relinquish. The Spartans kept it close for most of the first half, but a 7-0 run by the Nittany Lions to end the half gave them a 44-32 lead at the break. The Nittany Lions hit 60% of their field goals in the first half, the highest percentage conceded by Michigan State in a half this season.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
The Spartans kept it close in the second half, cutting the lead down to 54-49 with 8:55 remaining, but Michigan State made only one field goal over the next seven-and-a-half minutes, allowing Penn State to build their lead back up into double-digits on their way to a 72-63 win.
Freshman struggle in first start together
For the first time this season, Michigan State started all four of their highly-touted freshman, as well as senior Eron Harris. Aside from Nick Ward, who led the Spartans with 16 points while also picking up four rebounds and blocking five shots, the freshman struggled.
Miles Bridges had an off day in his return to the starting lineup, scoring only four points on 2-of-8 shooting, including missing all three of his three-point attempts, and committing three turnovers. Josh Langford made only two of his six field goal attempts and also committed three turnovers and Cassius Winston struggled at the point with three turnovers himself. Lourawls Nairn Jr. came off the bench and contributed 13 points in extended minutes.
Penn State dominated the paint, outrebounding Michigan State 38-28. The Spartans struggled with ball control, committing 17 turnovers to only 11 assists. Neither team shot well from outside, the Spartans making 30.4% (7/23) of their three-pointers while Penn State shot 26.3% (5/19) from beyond the arc. While Michigan State shot at a higher percentage from the free throw line (71.4%, 10/14), the Nittany Lions got to the line ten more times and cashed them in for five more points (62.5%, 15/24).
Lamar Stevens led the four Nittany Lions who scored in double-digits with 18 points. Mike Watkins came off the bench and grabbed nine rebounds while also scoring 11 points.
| Score | FG | 3P | FT | OR/DR | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FOULS |
| MSU | 23/56 | 7/23 | 10/14 | 4/24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 26 |
| PSU | 26/56 | 5/19 | 15/24 | 9/29 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 18 |
Next: NFL Playoffs - Detroit Lions Gameday at Seattle Seahawks
Up Next
Michigan State will host Minnesota on Wednesday at 7:00 on Big Ten Network.