NEW YORK CITY, New York (Michigan News Source)- It came down to overtime and the final minute of the season for Michigan State as a last second shot attempt failed ending the Spartans’ hope to advance to the Elite Eight. Kansas State took the lead in the final minute of overtime and held on for the 98-93 win in New York.
“I give a lot of credit to Kansas State. They made some big plays down the stretch. They made some big plays early. Been part of a lot of big wins, and I’ve been part of a lot of tough losses. Never been prouder of a team because we didn’t have our game tonight,” said head coach Tom Izzo. “
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Five Spartans finished in double figures as A.J. Hoggard led with a career-high 25 points. Joey Houser added 18 points while Tyson Walker had 16 points, Jaden Akins 14 points, and Malik Hall 13 points.
Kansas State’s shooting became the difference in the game shooting 55 percent overall making 61 percent in the first half and 66 percent in overtime. They also shot 45 percent from the arc and scored 16 points off turnovers. MSU tried to keep up with the Wildcats’ offensive production shooting 49 percent overall with a 59 percent shooting percentage in the second half. They also made 13 three-pointers for 52 percent but the game came down to crucial key shots made by Kansas State and scoring on turnovers. In the game, there were 14 ties and 16 lead changes.
Tied at 82 to end regulation, MSU had a two-point lead, 92-90, with 1:47 to go in overtime on a layup by Hoggard. That was the final shot that MSU would make in overtime as Kansas State finished on an 8-1 run. The Wildcats scored on their next two possessions with two free throws to tie the game at 92 with 1:28 to go. After MSU missed a jumper at 1:06, Kansas State took the lead on a dunk with 52 seconds to go, 94-92. Hall was then fouled with 43 seconds left and made one of two free throws to pull within one, 94-93. At 17 seconds, Hoggard blocked a KSU shot but the Wildcats kept possession. They then scored a second later for a three-point lead, 96-93.
After a MSU timeout with 12 seconds left, KSU guarded the arc well not allowing the Spartans to get a three-pointer off as Walker turned over the ball and the Wildcats scored on a fast break bucket before time expired for the five-point victory, 98-93.
Walker added about the last play saying, “They knew we needed a three to tie the game up, and they just played it really well. They switched, and they just guarded the three-point line well. He made a good play, and none of us could get a clean look, and they got a stop.”
MSU trailed by five at the half, 43-38, before shooting extremely well in the second half to the game at 82 sending it to overtime.
Houser said, “Both teams made plays. They just happened to make a couple more at the end of the game.
MSU ends their season at 21-13.
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