Comeback for #11 MSU Basketball Falls Short Against Indiana

EAST LANSING, Feb. 12, 2025 ~ #11 Michigan State basketball (19-5) could not complete a nine-point comeback in the final three minutes against the Indiana Hoosiers (15-10), falling 71-67 Tuesday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans went cold from beyond the arc, converting on only 4-23 attempts. After an early 12-point lead, Indiana’s zone started to give MSU fits on the offensive end throughout the rest of the evening. 

Michigan State’s paint defense did not hold up well against the Hoosier big men, as junior forward Malik Reneau led all players with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Senior center Oumar Ballo also tallied a double-double, recording 14 points and 10 boards before fouling out in the final minutes. 

MSU’s big men also struggled with foul trouble which aided the success in the paint from Indiana. Junior center Carson Cooper fouled out with five minutes left in the night after posting seven points and five rebounds. 

“We didn’t do a good enough job against the zone,” head coach Tom Izzo told WJR Correspondent Nick Lundberg after the game. “If you get open shots and don’t make them, that is part of it. The second part of it is that we didn’t guard anyone down low. That was the difference in the game.”

Senior guard Jaden Akins led the green and white in scoring, posting 14 points while only shooting 2-9 from three. Freshman guard Jase Richardson followed up with 13 and six rebounds in his second career start.