For 36 minutes, the Spartans had the upper hand. 

Niagara, a guard-heavy team, started the game hot with a 9-2 lead. The Spartans weren’t playing with much passion, instead playing down to their competition. 

But MSU came back, embarking on a 12-1 run in just four minutes to take a 16-12 lead midway into the first half. From there, it was clear the Spartans were in control.

Until halftime, MSU kept comfortable leads: 24-15, 30-21 and 46-39 at the break.

“We provide that spark. Everybody had a great game," junior forward Jaxon Kohler said postgame.

Niagara’s best performances came from senior wing Olumide Adelodun and sophomore guard Jahari Williamson: the two combined for 11 of the team’s first 15 points. They finished with a combined 25 points on 8-for-21 shooting and six rebounds.

At halftime, MSU’s leading scorers were Kohler (10) and senior guard Jaden Akins (8). The Spartans had more rebounds and assists and fewer turnovers. MSU also racked up 26 points off the bench and 10 points through Niagara’s seven turnovers, with every MSU player that saw minutes scoring, except junior center Carson Cooper. 

What helped MSU most was the number of turnovers and fouls Niagara committed throughout the game. Just nine minutes in, MSU was already in the bonus, shooting 10 free throws in the first half. 

The game encapsulated everything this MSU team needs for a bounce-back season. Though Kohler — who finished the game with a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 13 rebounds — was the standout, it was a complete game by the Spartans. Every player did their part, whether that be hitting threes or grabbing rebounds that led to transition layups. The Spartans employed a balanced offense as redshirt freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. dished out eight assists.

“I think we have some versatility inside and outside. I like the way we move the ball,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “I thought when we needed an assist, we got an assist.”

MSU’s specialty, for its second game in a row, was a robust second half. Against Monmouth, the Spartans scored 43 points in the second half, shooting better both beyond the arc and inside. They also scored and attempted more free throws.

Against Niagara, the Spartans saw a similar story. MSU allowed 18 fewer points than it did in the first half and often forced Niagara droughts, some lasting over four minutes. The Spartans went on a 18-2 run to close the game. 

Kohler shined in the second half, scoring 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds in just nine minutes. 

“For me, rebounding is always a crucial part of my game, of what I have to do,” Kohler said. “That's something that everyone should expect to see every game. And that's what I expect from myself every game.”

What was a seven-point lead for Niagara turned into a 36-point win for MSU, with a dominant performance late from the Spartans. They finished the game with better field goal and free-throw percentages, fewer turnovers, 17 more rebounds, 38 more bench points and 32 more points in the paint.

“I’m really proud of my guys. They’re all in,” Izzo said. “The mental toughness and playing hard, that’s what you got to learn to do here.”

MSU will play Kansas on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Champions Classic in Atlanta.