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Michigan State basketball shuts down Ohio State behind 'stifling' defense

Columbus, Ohio — Defense travels, at least it better in the Big Ten.

For Michigan State, it surely did on Sunday afternoon as the Spartans shut down the struggling Buckeyes, limiting them to 28.3% shooting from the field while cruising to a 62-41 victory at Value City Arena.

“Today was a rock fight in the first half,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said, a description that has become commonplace this season. “We weren’t shooting good. They weren’t shooting good. Both teams played decent defense, but both teams had some good shots, too.

“But I do have to give us a little credit because we stuck with the game plan defensively.