MSU’s bid to take Tom Izzo back to his ninth Final Four fell short, as Auburn took command of the game early and won 70-64. MSU finishes with 30 wins, which is the sixth time under Izzo.

Jaxon Kohler led with a double-double, finishing 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, with three three-pointers and 11 rebounds. Jade Akins added 15 points, and Jase Richardson scored 11.

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MSU had an 8-6 lead early in the first half when Auburn went on a 17-0 run over almost six minutes for a 23-8 lead. It was nearly seven minutes before MSU hit a shot from the floor as Auburn took over. Coen Carr came in at 16:05 and landed a dunk at 15:50 to give MSU an 8-6 lead. That was the last made shot on the floor until a three-pointer by Frankie Fidler at 9:27 as MSU trailed 23-13. Fidler broke the scoreless streak at 10:04 with two free throws. MSU was within nine at the half, 33-24.

Jeremy Fears pulled MSU within five, 35-30, at 17:39 in the second half on a layup. By 16:35, Auburn was back up by 10, 40-30. Auburn kept its distance for most of the second half, with MSU coming within eight. Adkins hit a three-pointer with 13 seconds left to reach the closest to Auburn since 17:39 for the game’s final bucket, 70-64.

MSU was the No. 2 seed in the South Region and the Big Ten Regular Season Champions.