Michigan State was able to hold off a very pesky Portland Pilots team to win the fifth place game of the Phil Knight Invitational 78-77 on Sunday. Portland was a very game opponent for the Spartans, showing that they are capable of playing on the big stage. Prior to the matchup with MSU, the Pilots dominated Villanova and gave No. 1 North Carolina a scare in their opening round matchup.
Michigan State was able to hold off the upset minded opponent, and came away with a 78-77 victory, securing a 2-1 record in the invitational.
