Rehash&Analysis: Malik Hall's career-high 29 points lifts Michigan State past Penn State

Malik Hall turned in a career performance, and Jaden Akins was terrific in the first half as Michigan State cruised to an 80-72 victory over Penn State, Wednesday evening at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa. 

Hall, a senior power forward whose performances have become a bellwether for Spartan fortunes, scored 29 points on 10-of-13 shooting, along with 8-of-8 from the foul line. This came a week after Hall was 1-of-6 from the free throw line in a loss at Minnesota. Hall added a game-high 10 rebounds.

“I mean, that was a heck of a game,” said Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. “He made some plays. But I was really proud of Malik because it’s been a long five years. But sometimes they say ‘You save the best for last.’”

Against Penn State, Hall scored inside in the post, at medium-range off the dribble, and occasionally from deep. He nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner to give Michigan State a 69-55 lead with 7:07 remaining.

“He’s shooting it better, he’s working on his game a lot more,” Izzo said. “We’re posting him and he’s getting his confidence with some shots early. He’s making his free throws.”

With 2:33 left, Hall broke a loose Penn State press by himself, executed a between the legs dribble (from behind) and withstood a bump from Penn State center Arie Favour in scoring at the rim to give Michigan State a 75-62 lead and entertain a joyous Spartan bench.

Hall’s expression never changed throughout the performance, as he surpassed his previous career high of 24 points, scored against these Nittany Lions on Jan. 24. And he deflected any personal credit after the game.

“I just keep looking forward to every day and trying to play my best basketball, and that’s it,” Hall said “Just trusting my team. They believe in me so I just go out there and try my best every night. Whether it goes my way or not, I’m just excited to be here and to have this opportunity.”

WHAT IT MEANS

Michigan State improved to 16-9 overall and 8-6 in the Big Ten. Penn State, which has been playing respectable basketball this month, fell to 12-13 and 6-8 in Big Ten.

The Spartans now have a little breathing room in its quest for a 26th straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Spartans are trying to harness 40 minutes of a consistent brand of basketball that could enable them to advance past the first week of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans didn’t quite find that level of play on this night, but it takes a level of toughness to secure road victories in the Big Ten, and this one required some skill. 

Penn State came into the game having won three of its last four games under first-year coach Mike Rhoades. The one loss was a single-digit decision at Northwestern.

Michigan State will play at Michigan on Saturday.

Most observers believe 19 wins is likely the magic number to get into the NCAA Tournament. Anything above 20 wins could nudge Michigan State off the No. 8/9 seed line and possibly toward a more comfortable 7 seed. 

HALL BECOMING A MISMATCH 

Michigan State’s lead fluctuated between eight and 14 points for the first 15 minutes of the second half. 

Then Hall gave the Spartans their biggest lead of the night at 73-57 when Michigan State ran a horns set which resulted in Hall going against 6-foot-8 Puff Johnson. 

Hall went from face-up, between-the-legs mode against Johnson, to back-you-down mode against 6-foot-1 Ace Baldwin after a ball screen and a switch.

Baldwin tried to reach around Hall for a steel. Hall responded with a spin and drop step to the rim, scoring off the glass, over 6-foot-11 Favour Aire.

That play exemplified the problems Penn State was having in trying to stop Hall.

“Hall was a beast today,” said Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades. “He was amazing. We didn’t have an answer for him. Made him look like an All-American, but he’s pretty darn good.”

“I’m excited as a team,” Hall said. “We’re starting to look a lot better, we’re starting to play a lot better. We just have to keep building on it.”

“The next step is two halves,” Hall said. “The first half we played really well, the second half we kind of let them shoot a little better. So we just have to string two halves together of really great basketball and I think we’ll be a really great team.” 

Hall came into the game averaging 17.1 points in Michigan State wins, and 9.5 points in Spartan losses.

In this game, Hall more than filled the void for Tyson Walker, who had a quiet game while letting others go off. 

WALKER’S DOUBLE FIGURES STREAK ENDS

Tyson Walker was held to single digits for the first time in 35 games. Walker broke Kalin Lucas’s previous school record of 33 consecutive games of scoring 10 points or more last week.

Walker scored 6 points on 3-of-8 shooting. He was 0-for-2 from 3-point range and did not shoot a free throw.

Walker had six rebounds and one assist in 34 minutes. 

Walker has been battling a groin strain. In the first half, he limped to the bench during a media time out after being knocked to the floor while failing to finish a put-back jam attempt. But Walker didn’t miss any playing time due to the injury. However, Walker was unselfish throughout the game in deferring to Akins and Hall. At other times, Walker was open on the perimeter, but teammates failed to get the ball to him.

The last time Walker scored single digits in a game was Jan. 29, 2023 when he scored 9 in a loss at Purdue.

“As far as Tyson goes, I give him a lot of credit,” Izzo said. “He was guarding and rebounding in the first half and wouldn’t take a shot. I mean, I was chewing him out and I said, ‘Look for your shot.’”

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Jaden Akins scored 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting. He was 4-of-9 from 3-point range after beginning the game 4-of-4 from beyond the arch.

Akins had a team-high 16 points in the first half. 

Sophomore center/forward Carson Cooper tied a career high with 10 points. Cooper, who has struggled from the foul line most of the season, was 4-of-4 from the stripe. Cooper also played excellent help defense throughout the game, a key attribute which has enabled him to become a game closer in each of the last three contests. 

“We need to get more out of our five spot, there’s no question,” Izzo said. “We have to get a little more consistency out of our energy. If we get those two things, who knows, man? It’s the middle of February, it’s a good time of year.”

AJ Hoggard had a team-high five assists, to go with 4  points. He was 2-of-9 from the field and spotty on defense, which bothered Izzo. 

“AJ wasn’t as sharp, and think God Malik was unbelievable and Jaden was unbelievable,” Izzo said. “But we struggle with some things, and I don’t know, maybe we were still thinking about Saturday.”

Ace Baldwin and Zach Hicks led Penn State with 15 points apiece.

Michigan State was inconsistent with its ball screen defense, and close-outs, as Penn State shot 52.2 percent from 3-point range (12-of-23).