AUBURN HILLS, MICH. – In front of over 20,000 fans at the Palace, the Oakland University men’s basketball team was unable to complete the upset over the top team in the nation after it fell to the Michigan State Spartans 99-93 in overtime on Tuesday.

The game started physical and remained physical throughout the night, with a combined 90 trips to the free throw line between the two teams. 

Oakland finished the night shooting 81.3 percent from the line and Michigan State finished at just 69 percent.

“It was a war out there, that’s all I will say,” Oakland coach Greg Kampe said after the game. “It was a war start to finish.”

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo chose his words carefully when asked about the officiating. “I don’t blame the refs, they’re just doing what they’re mandated to do. But did I agree with all of their calls? No,” Izzo said.

Kay Felder continued to perform well, finishing the night with 37 points, three rebounds and nine assists. He shot 14-18 from the free throw line and 3-7 from three, but fouled out of the game in overtime on a controversial charge call.

Kampe said after the game that this is what is expected of Felder now.

“Felder had a Kay Felder game,” Kampe said. “We didn’t get lucky.”

Izzo had much higher praise for the junior point guard.

“I’m a big fan of his. He’s only a junior so if we schedule Oakland next year I hope he’s out,” Izzo said.

Jalen Hayes finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Oakland, his fourth straight double double.

The Lansing native was a player Izzo kicked himself for not recruiting.

“Who’s the idiot out in East Lansing that didn’t get him,” Izzo said.

Bryn Forbes of the Spartans finished with 32 points. He made seven of his eight three point attempts on the evening.

Eron Harris emerged in the absence of MSU star Denzel Valentine, recording 27 points and adding five assists and five rebounds.

The Spartans earned their 13^th victory in a row, to start the season undefeated and reach a mark that Izzo says he was pushing for. 

With the loss, Oakland’s record moves to 7-4.

Oakland will play Chicago State next in the O’rena on December 28 at 7 p.m. Conference play begins January 2 against Cleveland State.