Coen Carr poured in 18 points and Jaxon Kohler chipped in 16 on flawless shooting to guide No. 12 Michigan State to an 80-51 win over Southern California on Monday night. Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 15 points and seven assists for the Spartans (13-2, 3-1 Big Ten), who seized momentum with a 27-6 surge early and stayed ahead by 20 or more for most of the second half.
Kohler was perfect on all six of his field-goal tries, including three from beyond the arc, and made his lone free throw. He also pulled down eight rebounds, falling two short of his sixth straight double-double. According to Sportradar, Kohler became the first Spartan since at least the 1996-97 season to record 10 or more points and rebounds in five straight games during a single season.
Ezra Ausar scored 16 points and Jerry Easter added 12 for the Trojans (12-3, 1-3), who dropped back-to-back games for the first time this year. Michigan State led 33-17 at halftime, with Kohler pacing the offense by scoring eight points as seven other teammates scored at least two.
Carr and Fears increased their production after the break to stretch the lead, combining for 25 second-half points. Michigan State also limited Chad Baker-Mazara to just four points after he came in averaging a team-best 20.4 points per game for USC.
The Spartans rebounded from a narrow 58-56 loss to No. 10 Nebraska and earned their fifth win in six outings. The Trojans, who were coming off a 30-point loss to No. 2 Michigan, endured another tough night in the state and still have four days in the Midwest before facing Minnesota ahead of their return to California. Michigan State shot 50% from the field and held USC to 33%, while dominating 25-5 in fast-break points and 21-9 in bench scoring.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401825419
