Michigan St defeats Cornell 114-97
Michigan St Edges Cornell Behind Balanced Attack in 114-97 Upset
The Breslin Center saw its usual electric atmosphere subdued on Tuesday night as Michigan State took down visiting Cornell, 114-97, in a non-conference matchup that showcased the Spartans' well-rounded game.
In a contest where neither team was able to separate themselves by more than a handful of points until late in the fourth quarter, Michigan St's superior depth and rebounding ultimately told. The largest lead of the night for either side came with 5:17 left on the clock when Jeremy Fears Jr., who led the Spartans with 21 points, scored off a steal to push MSU ahead by 26.
The 11-point deficit Cornell trailed by early in the second half was as small as it got all game long. The Big Ten squad outrebounded their opponents 30-15 but still trailed at halftime.
In the third quarter, Fears Jr., continued his impressive night with five assists to further cement Michigan St's lead and secure a significant victory.
Fears Jr.'s all-around performance was mirrored by that of Jaxon Kohler, who added eleven points off the glass. Jeremy Fears Jr.'s 11 assists also stood out as he controlled the tempo of the game while his teammates made plays in the paint.
On the other hand, Cornell's offense struggled to find a rhythm against Michigan St's defense, with the Big Ten squad managing just 34% shooting from beyond the arc.
A balanced performance by both teams was on full display. In the end, it was the Spartans who came out on top.