Nov 4, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) defends Monmouth Hawks forward Chris Morgan (21) during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Jaden Akins scored a game-high 23 points to lead Michigan State to an 81-57 season-opening home win over Monmouth in East Lansing, Michigan on Monday.
A senior guard, Akins went 8-of-12 from the field and added nine rebounds for the Spartans. Freshman Jase Richardson was the only other Michigan State player in double-figures, scoring 10 points. Szymon Zapala had nine points and eight rebounds as well for Michigan State, which shot 27 of 43 on 2-point attempts, which made up for going just 3 of 18 from 3-point range and 18 of 27 from the free-throw line…