It was closer than anyone in East Lansing expected or wanted it to be, but Michigan State men’s basketball went on a 10-0 run over the final six minutes to beat in-state rival Michigan, 73-63, in Ann Arbor on Saturday night.
The game-winning run was powered by the Spartans’ defense, as they did not allow a field goal in the final seven minutes of the game. Michigan State (17-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) ends a four-game losing streak away from home in this series, claiming their first win at the Crisler Center since 2019.
The two teams traded baskets and turnovers early, as the Wolverines led 14-12 at the first media timeout. Michigan State took the lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, when Coen Carr converted a three-point play to put the Spartans up 19-18. That was part of a 15-4 run that saw Michigan State build a 31-22 lead with 4:21 left in the half, capped by a monster slam in transition from Carr.
Following a Juwan Howard timeout, the Wolverines responded when Dug McDaniel went on a personal 7-0 run to will Michigan back into the game. After absorbing a counter-punch from the Spartans, the Wolverines went on another 8-0 run to retake the lead, 37-35, with 39 seconds left in the first frame. MSU’s Tre Holloman and Davis Smith added two free throws each down the stretch to put the Spartans up 39-37 at halftime.