Michigan State has finished the Phil Knight Invitational with a 2-1 record after the team defeated the Portland Pilots 78-77 on Sunday afternoon.
All five Spartans starters finished in double figures to help propel the Spartans over the pesky Pilots.
The win proved to make the weekend a success with the Spartans finishing in fifth place and a 2-1 record.
Portland jumped out to a 42-34 halftime lead over the Spartans behind 9 three pointers and an MSU scoring drought lasting over three minutes.
The second half was a different story.
Michigan State came out ready to make this a game in the second half, and a 12-0 run turning a 46-37 deficit into a 49-46 lead, a lead the Spartans wouldn’t give up for the remainder of the game.
Late game struggles presented itself once again for Tom Izzo’s squad, as MSU held a 74-64 lead late, before allowing the Pilots to go on a 13-4 run to pull within 1, aided by multiple Spartan turnovers.
Portland missed two shots in the final seconds, and the Spartans survived 78-77.
Tyson Walker led the way with 16, while Brooks had another breakout performance with 15. Hauser added 14, Hoggard with 12 and Sissoko with 11, leading the Spartans to victory.
Michigan State will be back on action on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten when they travel to South Bend to take on Notre Dame at 9:15 EST.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.
