Survive and advance. That is the mantra when you get to March and the Spartans certainly epitomized that saying tonight, surviving a very game Davidson team, 74-73. Michigan State and Davidson traded blows from the start of this game until the very end. Both teams executed their offense early, and limited mistakes.
The first half consisted of runs and scoring droughts from both teams. MSU jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, but Davidson was quick to counter. Once the score evened up at 10-10, the two teams traded buckets all the way to the end of the half, where the Spartans ended up leading 32-31.
In the second half, the first ten minutes found the Spartans and Wildcats trading more baskets. The Spartans found themselves down 52-49 and in the midst of a 5-minute scoring drought. Good defense kept the Spartans in the game and the deficit at 3.
With the Spartans down 56-51, the team managed to muster up a 10-0 run to take a 61-56 lead. With under 4 minutes left, the Spartans found themselves slowing the game down and grinding out a win.
MSU made their free throws and fought off some timely shots from Davidson to eventually win their round of 64 game, 74-73.
Joey Hauser led the Spartans in scoring with 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting. He was aided by AJ Hoggard who had 14 points and Gabe Brown who finished with 12.
Both teams had very similar statistics in the game, with both shooting 28-for-59 from the field.
The Spartans survived and advanced and will take on the 2-seeded Blue Devils of Duke on Sunday in the round of 32.
You can find the best pictures from the win by clicking here.
