The Indiana Hoosiers (15-14, 6-12) abruptly ended Michigan State’s (23-6, 14-4) five-game winning streak last night, squeaking past the Spartans to a final score of 63-62.
Indiana scored early in the game with a 2-point layup by Justin Smith. From then on, though, the Hoosiers were behind by as much as 10 points for the rest of the first half. But Indiana refused to lie down and die.
Justin Smith shouldered much of the burden, scoring a career-high record of 24 points. His determination rubbed off on his team mates. But at half time the score was 35-28, Michigan State leading and still in control.
The second half began with a 2-point jumper made by Spartan Cassius Winston, and Michigan State began to pull away again. For nearly three minutes Indiana went cold, missing layups and jumpers. Hoosiers De’Ron Davis, Rob Phinisee, and Romeo Langford went for layups that shaved the score to 45-44. Indiana fans went justifiably wild.
But try as the Hoosiers might, they could not take the lead. They put serious pressure on Michigan State, however.
And then Michigan State stalled at 62 points with 4:15 on the clock. The Spartans looked tapped out. Hacked. Fatigue had finally set in and they remained scoreless for the rest of the game. The Hoosiers patiently and methodically chipped away at the Spartans.
A layup by Hoosier Juwan Morgan tied the score 62-62 with 1:46 on the clock. Indiana’s patience and persistence had finally paid off. A foul against Spartan Xavier Tillman resulted in a free throw by Juwan Morgan. Now Indiana was ahead 63-62.
Cassius Winston narrowly missed a jumper with only 3 seconds on the clock. The Hoosiers won 63-62.
Spartan Nick Ward remains out with a hand injury, while Kyle Ahrens’ bad back kept him to only 10 minutes play time.
This marks the second time Indiana has beaten Michigan State this year, its first victory of 79-75 scored on February 2 in East Lansing, Michigan.
