News Summary
In a stunning turn of events, the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans saw their 13-game winning streak come to an end with a 70-64 loss against the USC Trojans in Los Angeles. The Spartans struggled to find their rhythm, trailing throughout the game and unable to regain the lead, despite a spirited effort that brought them within five points late. USC’s Desmond Claude led the Trojans with 19 points, helping secure the victory. Looking ahead, Coach Tom Izzo’s team aims to rebound in upcoming matchups against UCLA and Oregon.
Los Angeles, CA – Michigan State’s Streak Stopped by USC
In a surprising twist on the basketball court, the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans saw their impressive 13-game winning streak come to a halt after a 70-64 defeat against the USC Trojans. The game, which was held at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, marked MSU’s first loss on the road and within the conference this season, bringing their record to 18-3 overall and 9-1 in the Big Ten.
The Streak is Over
For many fans, the loss was a bit of a shock. The Spartans, riding high from a lengthy winning streak, found themselves trailing for much of the game. In fact, they fell behind by as much as 15 points in the first half and were unable to take the lead at any point during the contest. It’s certainly not the kind of performance anyone was hoping for, especially with Tom Izzo eyeing his chance to tie the legendary Bob Knight for the most Big Ten victories by a coach at 352 wins.
A Tough Matchup
USC improved its overall record to 13-8, with a conference record of 5-5. The Spartans struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in their fast-break game, scoring only 9 fastbreak points despite being the national leaders in that category with an average of 18.5 points per game. They also had a rough time keeping control of the ball, racking up 13 turnovers that allowed the Trojans to score 12 points off those mistakes.
One bright spot for Michigan State was redshirt freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who managed to put up 12 points and dished out six assists without committing any turnovers. He was joined on the scoresheet by Jaden Akins with 11 points, Coen Carr with 9 points, and Jase Richardson contributing 8 points.
USC’s Standout Performers
The Trojans had their own standout players, with Desmond Claude leading the way with 19 points. Wesley Yates III also stepped up, scoring 15 points, while Chibuzo Agbo added 12 points to help solidify USC’s lead throughout the game.
A Home Away from Home
Despite the loss, it was heartwarming to see more than 2,000 Spartan fans in attendance at the game, which included basketball legend Magic Johnson among them. This event marked the first major Michigan State sporting occasion in Los Angeles since the 2013 Rose Bowl, adding a sense of nostalgia to the lineup.
Game Recap
The game started off on a shaky note for MSU, who trailed 35-32 at halftime. The Trojans came out strong in the second half, scoring the first five points and maintaining their edge over the Spartans. Michigan State did make a push towards the end, managing to cut the lead down to just five points with only 1:36 left in the game, but ultimately, they couldn’t bridge the gap.
What’s Next for the Spartans?
Looking ahead, Coach Tom Izzo will have another shot at tying the Big Ten wins record when MSU faces off against UCLA on Tuesday. Following that, they will return home to host No. 18 Oregon and then gear up for a showdown against Indiana on February 11. Fans will be hoping to see a reinvigored Spartans team bounce back after this unexpected setback.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan State’s Streak Stopped by USC
- Sports Illustrated: Spartans in AP Top 25
- MSU Spartans Official Site: Game Recap Against USC
- Google Search: Michigan State Basketball
- UCLA Bruins Official Site: Upcoming Game Against Michigan State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Basketball
