Michigan State Basketball lost to Maryland, 67-60, in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Maryland led for large portions of this game but MSU gained a lead late in the game. Unfortunately, the Spartans could not sustain this lead nor stop Terpins Guard Anthony Cowan Jr.
Here is a quick recap of this game:
Michigan State scored twice early on and then forced a Maryland turnover on the other end. Then, the Spartans missed their next five shots from the floor. Anthony Cowan Jr. scored all of the Terpin’s first 8 points for an 8-5 lead over Maryland with 15 minutes left in the first half.
There's a big one going on tonight.@MSU_Basketball brought out the sweet throwbacks for it. pic.twitter.com/o66VBgI8Xi
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 15, 2020
Both teams pushed the pace, using very little of their respective shot clocks. Aaron Henry stole the ball and was fouled coming down on a fastbreak. Henry hit one free-throw, cutting the Maryland lead down to 13-10. Xavier Tillman was on fire early on with 10 points and four rebounds in the first ten minutes. MSU trailed Maryland 20-14 halfway through the first half.
Michigan State looked out of sorts down the stretch of the first half. Meanwhile, Maryland got everything and anything on the offensive end. MSU went on a 7-0 to close the half, cutting the deficit to double-digits. The Terpins led the Spartans at halftime, 39-31.
MSU forced a Maryland turnover right out of the halftime break. On the next play, Aaron Henry threw down a mean dunk and Cassius Winston scored on a tough layup. Then, the Spartans forced a shot clock violation on defense. Terpins led the Spartans 41-35 with 16 minutes left in the game.
.@MSU_Basketball appears to have addressed some things at the half. pic.twitter.com/28egzzTpoD
— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 16, 2020
Rocket Watts came back in and immediately hit a tough mid-range jumper. On the next play, Watts hit a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to one point. Note, Maryland led by as much as 15 points earlier in this game.
.@MSU_Basketball's back in this this thing, and the Breslin's getting loud. pic.twitter.com/DuTZZGGQta
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 16, 2020
Michigan State and Maryland traded buckets for the next five minutes. Kyle Ahrens tied the game with a three-pointer. Finally, Cassius Winston gave MSU the lead with a pull-up three in transition. Xavier Tillman added to this lead with two free-throws. MSU now in front 56-53 with five minutes remaining.
.@MSU_Basketball has come all the way back.
We'll give you one guess on who hit the go-ahead 3. pic.twitter.com/4hCDdaOkr7
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 16, 2020
Michigan State pushed the lead even further with buckets on three-consecutive possessions. Then, Anthony Cowan Jr. scored ten straight points, giving Maryland a five-point lead. The Terpins closed this game out with two Anthony Cowan Jr. free-throws for a 67-60 victory at the Breslin Center.
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