COLUMBUS, Ohio — The defense that had deserted Michigan State for the better part of the last few weeks returned with a vengeance on Friday, and the result is the Spartans are moving on in the NCAA Tournament.
Behind its best defensive outing in weeks, No. 7 seed Michigan State used a 13-2 surge in the second half to pull away from No. 10 Southern Cal and hang on for the 72-62 victory at Nationwide Arena, advancing to face the winner of No. 2 Marquette and No. 15 Vermont on Sunday.
Joey Hauser scored 17 points to lead four players in double figures for the Spartans (20-12), who advance to the second round for the second straight season. Jaden Akins added 12 points, Tyson Walker 12 and A.J. Hoggard added 11 for the Spartans.