Michigan State basketball dominated Ohio State on the road, thanks in large part to its big men. Xavier Booker led by example with two critical second-half scores, and was joined by teammate Szymon Zapala, who scored his highest mark since joining the Spartans.
The 15th-ranked team took down the Buckeyes behind a strong defensive effort that limited Ohio State’s three-point shooting. The Spartans also utilized their half-court offense effectively, with bigs Jaxon Kohler and Zapala leading the charge.
Zapala had a breakout performance, scoring 15 points on just seven shots while grabbing five rebounds. He became the eighth player to lead the Spartans in scoring this season. Booker added two key plays down the stretch, including a thunderous dunk that sparked the final push for MSU.
The Spartans took control in the second half, with Zapala carrying his momentum into a 12-bench scoring run. However, Ohio State refused to back down, and the game remained close until the final minutes.
In the end, MSU’s defense proved decisive, as the Buckeyes committed several crucial turnovers that sealed their fate. The Spartans held on for a 69-62 victory, thanks in large part to Zapala’s dominant performance.
Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2025/01/03/michigan-state-basketball-game-score-recap-ohio-state-szymon-zapala-xavier-booker/77444079007