Michigan State Dominates Oakland: Key Players Shine in 77-58 Victory

When Michigan State basketball and Oakland square off, there’s a certain vibe you can always count on. Scrappy play? Check. Physical battles? Absolutely. Games closer than they probably should be? Every single time. But in the end, one thing remains constant: Tom Izzo shaking hands with Greg Kampe after yet another Spartans victory.

Tuesday night at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena was no exception. The 19th-ranked Spartans powered through a feisty Oakland squad, relying on a crucial second-half burst from Jaden Akins and Jaxon Kohler to secure a 77-58 win. That 11-point surge provided the breathing room MSU (9-2) needed, pushing their record against Oakland to an unblemished 23-0—all with Izzo and Kampe patrolling the sidelines for their respective teams.

Key Highlights:

• Career Night for Xavier Booker: The sophomore shined with a career-high 18 points, 11 of which came in the second half.

• Jaxon Kohler’s Dominance: A double-double performance of 14 points and 10 rebounds, along with three of MSU’s whopping 11 blocks.

• Defensive Wall: Szymon Zapala swatted six shots, anchoring MSU’s defensive efforts.

• Jaden Akins’ Leadership: Akins delivered 16 points, including clutch plays during a pivotal run.

Oakland (3-6), despite their efforts, struggled to maintain their first-half momentum. DQ Cole led the Golden Grizzlies with 17 points, 15 of which came in the first half, while Malcolm Christie added 15 points, including some impressive long-range shooting.

First-Half Frustrations

The opening half didn’t go as planned for Michigan State. Sure, the Spartans came out strong, jumping to a 10-5 lead thanks to Kohler’s relentless work on the boards and Akins’ early 3-point success. But Oakland’s amorphous zone defense threw a wrench into MSU’s rhythm, creating turnovers and second-chance opportunities. Seven giveaways by the Spartans combined with nine offensive rebounds from the Grizzlies kept the game tight.

DQ Cole took full advantage, heating up midway through the half. The junior guard from Pontiac drilled back-to-back 3-pointers, flipping the momentum and giving Oakland its first lead with 8:10 left. He added two more deep shots as the teams traded blows, with Malcolm Christie’s triple tying the score at 28-28 late in the half.

Despite shooting struggles—MSU went 1-for-9 during a seven-minute stretch—the Spartans managed to head into the locker room clinging to a 31-30 lead. Booker’s seven points and Kohler’s eight rebounds stood out, though the team’s defensive effort, including seven blocks, was what truly kept them afloat.

Second-Half Spark

Whatever pep talk Izzo delivered at halftime worked wonders. The Spartans stormed out with a 10-1 run to open the second half, sparked by layups from Tre Holloman and Kohler and capped by Jase Richardson’s corner 3-pointer that electrified the pro-green crowd. MSU’s defense smothered Oakland, slowing their pace and cutting off easy looks.

But Oakland wasn’t about to fold. Christie’s sharpshooting, combined with a layup and free throw from Jaylen Jones, trimmed the Spartans’ lead to just three points at 43-40 with 13:13 remaining. It was a gut-check moment for MSU.

Enter Jaden Akins. The senior guard took over, attacking the basket with relentless determination. After missing a 3-pointer, Akins redeemed himself by grabbing an offensive rebound—thanks to Coen Carr’s high-flying hustle—and converting a tough layup in traffic. Moments later, he drew a foul on a 3-point attempt, sinking two of three free throws to restore a seven-point cushion. The sequence ignited the Spartans and deflated the Grizzlies.

Kohler added to the momentum with a pair of post-up scores, while Akins’ up-and-under layup in transition pushed the lead to double digits. MSU’s 11-2 run forced Oakland to burn a timeout, but the damage was done. The Spartans’ defensive intensity and offensive execution left the Grizzlies struggling to keep up.

Closing It Out

Xavier Booker sealed the deal with a dominant stretch late in the game. A pair of free throws, a put-back tip-in, a kick-out 3-pointer from Zapala, and an emphatic dunk punctuated the Spartans’ final push. By the time the clock hit 5:20, MSU had extended their lead to 18 points, putting the game firmly out of Oakland’s reach.

To top it all off, Nick Sanders, son of Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders, drained a long two-pointer with 19 seconds left, drawing a roaring cheer from the crowd. It was the perfect exclamation point on a hard-fought victory.

What’s Next?

With the win, Michigan State heads back to East Lansing, where they’ll host Florida Atlantic on Saturday at the Breslin Center. The Spartans, now riding a wave of confidence, will look to keep their momentum going against another formidable opponent. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on FS1.

As for Oakland, they’ll regroup and travel to Cleveland State for a Thursday night matchup. While the loss stings, the Grizzlies showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from DQ Cole and Malcolm Christie, giving them plenty to build on moving forward.

Takeaways:

1. Defense Wins Games: MSU’s 11 blocks and second-half lockdown on Oakland’s offense proved pivotal.

2. Emerging Stars: Booker’s career night and Kohler’s double-double highlight the Spartans’ depth.

3. Resilience Matters: After a rocky first half, MSU responded with poise, executing when it mattered most.

Once again, Michigan State’s mix of grit, talent, and coaching prevailed in what has become a familiar tale against Oakland. But as Izzo himself would say, there’s still work to be done as the Spartans aim for even greater success this season.