DETROIT (Interstat) — Jaxon Kohler recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds Saturday as Michigan State held off Oakland 79-70 at Little Caesars Arena. The Spartans improved to 11-1 overall, while the Golden Grizzlies fell to 6-7. Michigan State led 39-36 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half. Coen Carr scored a game-high 22 points for the Spartans, who capitalized with 42 points in the paint and 22 points off turnovers. Oakland’s Tuburu Naivalurua led his team with 18 points. The Golden Grizzlies kept pace early but could not overcome Michigan State’s interior scoring and defensive pressure before a crowd of 15,789.

DETROIT (Interstat) — In a game defined by a stark contrast in styles and execution, the Michigan State Spartans used a dominant interior presence to wear down the Oakland Golden Grizzlies and secure a 79-70 victory on Saturday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena. A crowd of 15,789 saw the Spartans, now 11-1, overcome a sharp-shooting Oakland team by controlling the paint and the glass, turning a narrow halftime lead into a comfortable, if not always fluid, win. The Golden Grizzlies fell to 6-7. The most critical phase of the game came early in the second half, when Michigan State decisively shifted momentum. Leading by just three points at the break, 39-36, the Spartans opened the final period with a 12-2 run over the first four minutes. The surge was fueled by their foundational advantages: second-chance points and points off turnovers. A Carson Cooper-assisted three-pointer from Coen Carr started the run, followed by a Kur Teng three and consecutive inside baskets from Jaxon Kohler and Jeremy Fears. This burst pushed the lead to 51-38, establishing a double-digit cushion that Oakland would challenge but never seriously threaten. Michigan State’s victory was built on overwhelming physicality. The Spartans outrebounded Oakland 46-28, but the most telling disparity was on the offensive glass, where they held a 15-3 advantage. This led to a 42-26 advantage in points in the paint. Defensively, Michigan State’s length and timing resulted in 11 blocked shots, altering countless other Oakland attempts near the rim. Oakland stayed competitive through exceptional three-point shooting, connecting on 10 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc, and near-perfect free throw shooting at 12 for 13. The Golden Grizzlies also forced 11 Spartan turnovers, converting them into 11 points. However, Michigan State was more punishing off Oakland’s 12 giveaways, generating 22 points. The Spartans’ offensive efficiency, measured by an offensive rating of 116.3 points per 100 possessions, far outpaced Oakland’s 98.3, illustrating the quality of their scoring opportunities. Jaxon Kohler, a 6-foot-9 forward from American Fork, Utah, was the game’s central figure, posting a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with two blocks in 30 minutes. His work on the glass, including five offensive rebounds, epitomized Michigan State’s control. He was complemented by the athleticism of Coen Carr, who scored a game-high 22 points on efficient 9-of-14 shooting and added seven rebounds. Carson Cooper provided a major spark off the bench with 15 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Oakland was led by Tuburu Naivalurua’s 18 points and five rebounds. Ziare Wells added 17 points, while point guard Brody Robinson directed the offense with 13 points and eight assists. Michael Houge also scored 13 for the Golden Grizzlies, who shot 42.9% overall but were hampered by Michigan State’s rim protection. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes. Oakland’s perimeter shooting kept them in step, with Wells and Naivalurua hitting key threes. Michigan State, however, consistently answered inside, with Kohler and Cooper finishing at the rim, and took the lead for good on a Cooper dunk just before the halftime buzzer. After Michigan State’s decisive run to start the second half, Oakland trimmed the lead to seven points on several occasions, the last at 64-57 following a Naivalurua three-pointer with 7:57 remaining. Each time, the Spartans responded, often with an interior score or an offensive putback. A Coen Carr layup with 3:33 left pushed the lead back to 71-64, and Oakland could not mount a final rally. Michigan State now looks ahead to a home game against Cornell on Dec. 29. Oakland, after a strong showing against a high-major opponent, continues its road swing at Wright State on Dec. 29.

Michigan State Set to Host Oakland in Detroit Showdown DETROIT (Interstat) — The Michigan State Spartans, riding high with a 10-1 record, will face an in-state test against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. The Spartans, whose lone loss came against then-Duke on Dec. 6, have established themselves as a defensive force, holding opponents to an average of 66.5 points per game. Their offense is orchestrated by sophomore point guard Jeremy Fears, who is averaging 12.5 points and a robust 8.3 assists over his last six games, including a 13-assist performance in the loss to Duke. Oakland (6-6) enters on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Northern Kentucky 82-77 on Wednesday. The Golden Grizzlies’ offense runs through dynamic guard Brody Robinson, who has scored in double figures in 11 straight games. Over his last six contests, Robinson is averaging 19.5 points and 6.8 assists, including a 27-point, 8-assist effort in a win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Dec. 3. This matchup presents a stark contrast in schedules. Michigan State’s resume includes wins over North Carolina, Kentucky and Iowa. Oakland has played a challenging non-conference slate with losses to Houston, Purdue and UCF, but has shown a potent offense, averaging 86.2 points in its six victories. For Oakland, containing Fears’ distribution and weathering Michigan State’s defensive pressure will be critical. The Spartans will look to exploit their size and depth advantage, while neutralizing Robinson’s playmaking. The game tips off at 2 p.m. EST on Saturday. Michigan State will host Cornell on Dec. 29 to conclude non-conference play, while Oakland visits Wright State on Dec. 29 to open Horizon League action.