Jaden Akins scored a game-high 23 points to lead Michigan State to an 81-57 season-opening home win over Monmouth in East Lansing, Michigan on Monday.
A senior guard, Akins went 8-of-12 from the field and added nine rebounds for the Spartans. Freshman Jase Richardson was the only other Michigan State player in double-figures, scoring 10 points. Szymon Zapala had nine points and eight rebounds as well for Michigan State, which shot 27 of 43 on 2-point attempts, which made up for going just 3 of 18 from 3-point range and 18 of 27 from the free-throw line.
Michigan State held a 48-31 rebounding advantage.
Abdi Bashir Jr. scored 20 points in defeat for Monmouth, which shot 27.9% from the field overall (17 of 61), with eight of those made field goals being from 3-point range.
Monmouth stayed within striking distance in the second half, cutting Michigan State’s lead to 53-43 with 11:51 remaining after a 3-pointer by Andrew Ball.
But the Spartans got some breathing room after that, going on a 7-0 spurt and taking a 60-43 lead with 9:50 remaining following a dunk by Akins that was created on a defensive steal by Jace Richardson.
Michigan State eventually built its lead up to 20 at 68-48 following a layup by Coen Carr with 6:39 left.
Trailing 38-27 at halftime, Monmouth scored the first five points of the second half to cut Michigan State’s lead to 38-32.
The Spartans countered with an 8-2 run to take a 46-34 lead with 16:02 remaining in the game after a 3-pointer by Akins.
Michigan State was hot from the start, scoring the first nine points of the game and jumping out to a 17-2 lead with 12:53 remaining in the first half.
Monmouth managed to cut its deficit to 27-17 with 6:43 remaining in the first half before trailing by 11 at intermission.