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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Jason Richardson is beginning to get
so good, it's scaring opponents.
|  | | Jason Richardson (left) has become the Spartans' go-to guy. |
Defying gravity with dunks and rebounds will always be a part of
his repertoire, but now he's making 3-pointers, creating mid-range
shots off the dribble and playing stingy defense to transform
himself from just an awesome athlete to a complete basketball
player.
Richardson scored 24 points as No. 3 Michigan State beat Ohio
State 71-56 Sunday to extend the nation's longest home winning
streak to 40 games. Michigan State (15-1, 4-1 Big Ten) will play
its next three games and five of its next six on the road.
"He's gone from a guy that a year ago we wouldn't guard on the
perimeter to a guy that you absolutely have to guard," Ohio State
coach Jim O'Brien said.
Richardson was 9-of-13 overall and 4-of-5 beyond the 3-point
line. In the last four games, Richardson has made 13-of-22 beyond
the arc.
He understands why teams chose not to guard him on the perimeter
in the past.
"I wouldn't guard myself outside, I wouldn't even guard myself
outside the paint to tell you the truth," Richardson said. "I
have just been working on my game. People used to say he can't
shoot from the outside. That's what I kept in my mind all last
summer and I still keep that in my mind."
That's not the only motivating force in Richardson's mind.
In Michigan State's only loss this season, a 59-58 setback at
Indiana, Richardson missed the front end of two one-and-ones in the
final minute.
He said the disappointment from that afternoon three weeks ago
has motivated him to take 1,000 shots almost every day since.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has been pleased that Richardson's
hard work has translated into success.
"He's starting to shoot the ball better and better," Izzo
said. "And our team is getting him the ball. He's had
ready-to-shoot shots and he's been ready to shoot."
The Buckeyes (12-6, 3-3) kept the game close for the first 25
minutes, but eventually fell to Michigan State's superior depth and
talent, even without Andre Hutson.
The senior forward, who has started 113 of 121 games in his
career, was relegated to his bench as he continues to recover from
pneumonia.
Zach Randolph helped make up for the loss with 14 points and 10
rebounds. Adam Ballinger, who replaced Hutson in the lineup, scored
10 points. Charlie Bell also had 10.
Ohio State's Brian Brown scored 14 points. Boban Savovic had 13
and Ken Johnson added 12.
O'Brien wanted to his players to limit their turnovers and keep
Michigan State, the nation's best rebounding team, off the
offensive glass.
They weren't able to do either as the Spartans turned 20
offensive rebounds into 26 points and 17 Ohio State turnovers into
20 points.
"That was a fear I had," O' Brien said.
Michigan State took the lead for good midway through the
first half, but it struggled to dominate the Buckeyes like it has
so many teams at home.
Just five of the last 40 visitors to the Breslin Center have
lost by fewer than 10 points.
"I think this is where the good teams have to find ways to
survive," Izzo said. "I didn't think it was the prettiest game on
either side. But right now, I'm taking any win and running with it.
You look at the last two weeks, there's been a number of Top-25
teams beaten, so it's survival time."
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Ohio State Clubhouse
Michigan State Clubhouse
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