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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for blowout road win over Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans asks the referees for a foul against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans asks the referees for a foul against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes fight for a loose ball against Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes fight for a loose ball against Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Rebounding: A

Not enough can be said about Michigan State’s solid rebounding performance at Penn State. No, the Nittany Lions aren’t exactly known for hitting the glass hard, but they have one of the top rebounders in the conference in Mike Watkins. He finished with just seven boards while Lamar Stevens had six — that’s how you limit second-chance points and win on the road.

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Penn State’s top two rebounders were held in check and the Spartans had two guys finish with over 10 in Nick Ward and Kenny Goins. It was Ward’s first double-double performance since early-November while Goins consistently breaks the 10-rebound mark.

The Spartans out-rebounded Penn State 41-28 and at one point, Ward had more boards than the entire Nittany Lion team.

Goins and Ward combined for 21 rebounds which isn’t all that short of Penn State’s total and if you add in Xavier Tillman, that trio tied the mark recorded by the Nittany Lions.

Overall, it was a strong game for Michigan State on the glass, limiting the Nittany Lions to just nine offensive rebounds while grabbing 11 of its own.

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