EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — Michigan State used a powerful second-half surge to rout Southern California 80-51 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday night at Breslin Center. The Spartans led 33-17 at halftime before outscoring the Trojans 47-34 after the break. The victory improved Michigan State’s record to 13-2, while Southern California fell to 12-3. A crowd of 14,797 watched the home team control the game throughout, easily covering the pregame spread as the total fell well under the projected over/under. The Spartans’ defense stifled the Trojans, who could not recover from their low-scoring first half.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of defensive intensity and offensive execution, the Michigan State Spartans delivered a decisive 80-51 victory over the Southern California Trojans in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday night at a sold-out Breslin Center. The contest, which drew 14,797 fans, was never in doubt after the opening minutes, as the Spartans stifled the Trojans from the outset and methodically built an insurmountable lead. Southern California’s 51 points marked a season low, highlighting the effectiveness of Michigan State’s game plan. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the latter stages of the first half, transforming a competitive opening into a Spartan-dominated affair. With Southern California trailing just 19-17 near the seven-minute mark after a Chad Baker-Mazara layup, Michigan State unleashed a game-defining 14-2 run over the next four minutes. The surge was fueled by the interior-outside combination of Jaxon Kohler and Jeremy Fears. Kohler, a 6-foot-9 forward from American Fork, Utah, ignited the run with a 3-pointer assisted by Fears. After a Trojan turnover, Kohler struck again from beyond the arc, another feed from Fears, pushing the lead to 27-17 and forcing a Southern California timeout. The Spartans’ defense was the catalyst, generating stops and turnovers that fueled their transition game. When the Trojans managed to get shots, they often met resistance, with Michigan State recording five blocks in the first half alone. The Spartans closed the half on another mini-run, taking a 33-17 lead into the break after limiting Southern California to a dismal scoring output. Any notion of a Trojan comeback was extinguished quickly after halftime. Michigan State opened the second half with a 9-2 spurt, extending its lead to 42-19 within the first three minutes. The Spartans’ offense, which had been efficient in the first half, became prolific in the second, shooting a high percentage and scoring 47 points. The lead ballooned to as many as 31 points as Michigan State cruised to the finish. Kohler led all scorers with 16 points, showcasing his range with multiple 3-pointers, and added two assists and a block. Coen Carr, a 6-6 guard from Stockbridge, Georgia, provided a major spark off the bench with 18 points, including several explosive dunks that energized the crowd. The engine of the Spartan offense was Jeremy Fears of Joliet, Illinois, who orchestrated the attack with 15 points and a game-high seven assists. For Southern California, which fell to 12-3, the offensive struggles were widespread. Ezra Ausar, a 6-9 forward from Atlanta, led the team with 16 points and two blocks but was hampered by turnovers. Guard Jerry Easter of Toledo, Ohio, was the only other Trojan in double figures with 12 points. The team’s 17-point first half proved too deep a hole against a disciplined Michigan State squad. Michigan State, which improved to 13-2, demonstrated why it was a heavy pregame favorite, covering the spread with ease. The Spartans’ defensive pressure, rebounding advantage, and balanced scoring overwhelmed a Trojan team that entered the game with a strong record but was coming off a 30-point road loss to Michigan just three days prior. The win provides momentum for Michigan State as it prepares to open its Big Ten conference schedule at home against Northwestern on Thursday. Southern California, which saw its two-game winning streak snapped, continues a challenging early conference stretch with a road game at Minnesota on Friday.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — A pivotal early-season Big Ten clash features two teams with identical records seeking to rebound from their first conference losses when Southern California visits Michigan State on Monday night. The Trojans (12-2, 0-1 Big Ten) and Spartans (12-2, 0-1) each suffered defeats on the road this past Friday. USC was routed 96-66 at Michigan, while Michigan State fell 58-56 at Nebraska on a last-second shot. This matchup at the Breslin Center marks the first conference meeting between the programs since USC joined the Big Ten. Both teams boast potent offenses, with Michigan State averaging 80.6 points per game and USC averaging 83.4. A key battle will be in the frontcourt between standout performers from each squad. USC’s Jaden Brownell is coming off a team-high 16 points in 28 minutes against Michigan. The forward has scored 16 points in two of his last three games. Michigan State will counter with Jaxon Kohler, who posted 19 points in 31 minutes at Nebraska and recorded a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double against Oakland on Dec. 20. The Trojans’ high-powered attack, which includes contributors like Ezra Ausar and Chad Baker-Mazara, will be tested by a stout Spartans defense allowing just 66.1 points per game. Michigan State’s offense is fueled by Kohler and guards Jeremy Fears and Kur Teng. Both teams face demanding conference slates ahead, making a victory Monday crucial for momentum. USC continues a road swing at Minnesota on Jan. 9, while Michigan State hosts Northwestern on Jan. 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST.