MSU grinded out a 74-70 win over the Oregon Ducks at the Phil Knight Invitational
Michigan State and Oregon, two teams struggling with injury problems who came into the game shorthanded, squared off in the Phil Knight Invitational on Friday night.
Behind a strong effort from the MSU defense, and a breakout performance from Pierre Brooks, the Spartans grinded out a tough 74-70 victory over the Ducks.
Michigan State got out to a fast start offensively, scoring 9 points in the first five minutes of the game, looking like they were ready to face the Oregon 2-3 zone. That offensive success would quickly change, and the Spartans would be held to just 10 points over the next 11 minutes.
Trailing 27-19 with just over four minutes to play in the half, the Spartans were able to put together a 14-0 run to capture all of the momentum in the contest. Oregon would hit a three at the buzzer, but the Spartans led 33-30 going into the half.
The second half saw both teams trading blows left and right, keeping the game between one score for majority of the half.
An 8-0 run with 6:30 to go gave the Spartans a 58-52 lead, a lead they wouldn’t give away.
Late game struggles presented themselves again when a 64-57 lead was dwindled to 68-67, but 6 made free throws by AJ Hoggard, Mady Sissoko and Tyson Walker preserved a 74-70 victory for MSU.
Joey Hauser paved the way for Michigan State, scoring 18 points and adding 10 rebounds for a double double. Tyson Walker added 18 points and 8 assists, while Pierre Brooks had a 15-point breakout performance.
The Spartans are back in action on Sunday against Portland in the fifth place game of the Phil Knight Invitational.
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