DETROIT — In a dominating performance, Xavier Booker recorded a personal best of 18 points while Jaden Akins contributed 16 points and Jaxon Kohler added 14, leading the 20th-ranked Michigan State to a 77-58 victory against Oakland on Tuesday night.

The Spartans improved their season record to 9-2, extending their winning streak to four games and securing seven victories in their past eight matchups.

The first half was tightly contested, with the Golden Grizzlies trailing by a single point at the half, featuring four ties and two lead changes throughout that period.

However, Michigan State surged ahead in the second half, powered by double-digit scoring from Booker and Akins.

Defensively, they held Oakland to a mere 27.8% shooting efficiency for the game.

For the Golden Grizzlies, DQ Cole notable for scoring 15 of his total 17 points in the first half, and Malcolm Christie also made significant contributions with 15 points.

Adding an element of fun to the game, both Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Oakland’s Greg Kampe donned matching green Grinch sweaters.

Among the notable attendees were Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, former Spartans who played pivotal roles in Michigan State’s 2000 national championship victory, along with Jack Gohlke, who famously hit 10 three-pointers in an NCAA Tournament upset against Kentucky last spring.

Key Takeaways: For Michigan State, Booker is beginning to fulfill the promise of his potential, showcasing his best offensive game yet as the sophomore exceeded the 12 points he scored during last month’s win over former No. 12 ranked North Carolina.

On the other hand, Kampe’s Oakland squad is known for its high volume of three-point attempts, and if they find their rhythm from beyond the arc, they have the potential to cause upsets against stronger opponents.

A critical moment in the game came when Akins executed a reverse layup, increasing the lead for the Spartans to 12 points midway through the second half, prompting a timeout from Oakland, although they failed to curb Michigan State’s momentum.

A significant statistic from the matchup was Michigan State’s defensive prowess, achieving a season-high 11 blocked shots, greatly surpassing their average of 4.2.

Looking ahead, Michigan State is set to host Florida Atlantic on Saturday, while Oakland will travel to Cleveland State for their next game on Thursday.