Michigan State basketball overcomes 19-point deficit in 79-71 victory over Penn State

Michigan State basketball overcomes a 19-point deficit vs. Penn State on the road tonight. Read more details about this game in this recap.

Michigan State basketball beat the Penn State Nittany Lions tonight, 79-71. The Spartans trailed Penn State by as many as 19 points in this game. This did not matter. MSU mounted a ridiculously impressive comeback in a tough, road atmosphere.

Here is a quick recap of this game:

First Half

Penn State won the opening tip-off which resulted in a Mike Watkins alley-oop. On the next play, Penn State Guard Jamari Wheeler hit a wide-open corner three. Then, Cassius Winston stepped out of bounds. The Nittany Lions started this game with a 10-2 run. Luckily, Michigan State answered back with two straight buckets. Spartans trailed Penn State 10-6 with 15 minutes left in the first half.

Xavier Tillman threw down an impressive putback dunk, bringing Penn State’s lead to only one point. Both teams traded buckets for the next five minutes. The Nittany Lions were 6-9 from deep in the first ten minutes of this game. Penn State led the Spartans 25-13 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Aaron Henry scored and then set up teammate Rocket Watts for a three-pointer. Penn State answered right back with two three-pointers, bringing the lead to 15 points with seven minutes left in the first half.  Over the next seven minutes, Penn State hit more shots from deep and did not let up the offensive end.

The Spartans trailed Penn State 46-31 at the half.

Second Half

Aaron Henry splashed a three-pointer to start the second half. Rocket Watts scored on back-to-back possessions, cutting the lead down to just eight points. The Spartans continued their offensive flurry with, shooting 6/6 from the floor in the first four minutes of the second half.

Aaron Henry scored on back-to-back possessions, including a three-pointer, to tie the game at 49 apiece. Then, Xavier Tillman gave MSU its first lead of the game thanks to a beautiful Cassius Winston assist. Penn State had no choice but to call a timeout after buckets from both Winston & Watts.

Rocket Watts and Cassius Winston scored back-to-back three-pointers, stretching the MSU lead to 10 points. Penn State would not go away. Lamar Stevens converted two consecutive and-one plays. One play came as the result of an eight-second backcourt violation from Michigan State.

Winston drew a foul and hit one free-throw, boosting MSU’s lead to six points with 5:30 left in the game. Penn State cut into this lead but the Spartans pushed back. Tillman scored down low, giving MSU a 72-67 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Aaron Henry scored in the lane. Then, Cassius Winston scored on a drive to the lane, converting on an and-one opportunity. Kyle Ahrens hit two free-throws in the last 30 seconds of this game.

Michigan State was victorious over Penn State in a tough road game. Xavier Tillman had a career-high 23 points and he snagged 14 rebounds.

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