Ohio State at Michigan State final score: Spartans survive at home in overtime to knock off Ohio State 72-68

Jan 7, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo coaches guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

The Michigan State Spartans defeated the unbeaten Ohio State Buckeyes at home in East Lansing on Tuesday, 73-68, in overtime, to knock their Big Ten rivals from the ranks of the unbeatens, but they sure did not make it easy on themselves, nor did Ohio State’s star, Aaron Craft.

Michigan State was up by 17 points with just over seven minutes to go when Craft and the Buckeyes went on an amazing 20-3 run down the stretch, which culminated in an Amir Williams put-back dunk with 21 seconds left in regulation to send the game in overtime.

In the extra five minutes, Michigan State’s Keith Appling stepped up in a big way, hitting huge three-pointer and draining in four foul shots in overtime. Appling finished the night with 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

For Ohio State, most of the scoring came off the bench in this one, with the biggest contribution coming from Sam Thompson who finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds.

With the win, the Spartans move to 14-1 on the season and 3-0 in the Big Ten, while the Buckeyes suffer their first loss on the season and drop to 15-1 and 2-1 in Big Ten play.