Walker tops 1,000 career points, Michigan State cruses past Oakland 79-62
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- — Tyson Walker scored 14 points and dished five assists and Michigan State shot just under 50% from the field to cruise past Oakland 79-62 on Monday night.
Walker, coming off a 25-point effort in the Spartans' 88-64 win over No. 6 Baylor Saturday night, was knocked to the floor as he hit a baseline jumper with 8:24 left to reach 1,000th career points, then completed the three-point play. The senior hit 5 of 12 from the field, including 2 of 6 from behind the 3-point arc.
Michigan State's offense sputtered to start the season, especially from behind the arc, but hit 63.3% from the field against Baylor and was even hotter from distance, knocking down 8 of 12 3-point attempts. It was its best shooting performance since a win over Savannah State on December 31, 2017. While the Spartans cooled against the Golden Grizzlies, they still knocked down 29 of 59 from the floor (49.2%) and 9 of 21 from deep (42.9%).
Jaden Akins scored 11 points and blocked a pair of shots and A.J. Hoggard had 11 points to go with seven assists for Michigan State (6-5). Mady Sissoko grabbed eight rebounds to go with seven points.
Trey Townsend led Oakland (6-6) with 17 points and Rocket Watts added 16. Blake Lampman had 12 points and five assists.
Michigan State plays host to Stony Brook Thursday. Oakland plays at Dayton Wednesday.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- D.J. Carstensen
- Brian Dorsey
- Jeffrey Anderson
2024-25 Horizon League Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State | 6-1 | - | 12-6 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 6-2 | 0.5 | 13-6 |
| Youngstown State | 6-2 | 0.5 | 11-7 |
| Milwaukee | 5-2 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Northern Kentucky | 4-3 | 2 | 9-9 |
| Robert Morris | 3-4 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Wright State | 3-4 | 3 | 9-9 |
| Oakland | 3-4 | 3 | 6-12 |
| IU Indianapolis | 2-5 | 4 | 6-12 |
| Detroit Mercy | 2-6 | 4.5 | 6-13 |
| Green Bay | 0-7 | 6 | 2-16 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 5-0 | - | 14-2 |
| Michigan | 5-0 | - | 13-3 |
| Purdue | 5-1 | 0.5 | 13-4 |
| Illinois | 5-2 | 1 | 13-4 |
| Oregon | 4-2 | 1.5 | 15-2 |
| Wisconsin | 4-2 | 1.5 | 14-3 |
| Indiana | 4-3 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Maryland | 3-3 | 2.5 | 13-4 |
| Iowa | 3-3 | 2.5 | 12-5 |
| USC | 3-3 | 2.5 | 11-6 |
| Nebraska | 2-3 | 3 | 12-4 |
| Penn State | 2-4 | 3.5 | 12-5 |
| UCLA | 2-4 | 3.5 | 11-6 |
| Ohio State | 2-4 | 3.5 | 10-7 |
| Rutgers | 2-4 | 3.5 | 9-8 |
| Northwestern | 1-4 | 4 | 10-6 |
| Washington | 1-5 | 4.5 | 10-7 |
| Minnesota | 0-6 | 5.5 | 8-9 |
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