Ohio State stormed back in front midway through the second half on Friday night and it was time for the home crowd to make some noise. The No. 18 Spartans heard it, felt it and responded by pulling out a 69-62 win against the Buckeyes. “Last year we would have found ways to lose games like this like,” said Michigan State guard Jaden Akins.

It was a win that included a lot of drama, as the Spartans coughed up a double-digit lead as the game reached its conclusion and gave Ohio State a window to steal the win away (the word choice here is by design), but the Spartans strong defense helped snuff out the Buckeyes comeback attempt.

Szymon Zapala scored a season-high 15 points and Jaden Akins added 14 as No. 18 Michigan State held off Ohio State 69-62 in Columbus on Friday for its seventh straight win.