Michigan State defeated Stony Brook 99-55 on Thursday evening in the Breslin Center. The Spartans defense led the way again as they held Stony Brook to 12 first half points and had a 48-12 lead at halftime.
Michigan State was led offensively by Jaden Akins, who had a career-high 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Michigan State as a team shot 59% and held Stony Brook to 29%. Michigan State had four players in double figures and that included Akins, A.J. Hoggard with 12 points, Tyson Walker with 17 points and Xavier Booker who had a career-high of 11 points.
The Spartans used their outstanding point of attack perimeter defense to stifle the Seawolves, just like they have done since the Baylor game. The Stony Brook starting backcourt shot a combined 8-for-31 from the field and 4-for-17 from three-point range.
Akins led the way with tremendous ball pressure all night which led to two steals a piece for Walker and Hoggard. As a result, that led to easy transition dunks for the Spartans.
The Seawolves played a better second half, only being out-scored 51-43 by the scorching Spartans. At the end of the game, Nick Sanders, who is the son of hall of fame running back Barry Sanders, knocked down a triple to score his first points of his career.
Michigan State improved to 7-5 on the 2023-2024 and will have an extended break until its next game versus Indiana State on Dec. 30.