Michigan State is heading to the Elite 8, defeating Ole Miss, 73-70
Michigan State is heading to the Elite 8, defeating Ole Miss, 73-70
For the first time since 2019, Michigan State basketball is going to be playing in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans won one of the most grittiest games you will see in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Ole Miss, 73-70.
It was one of the toughest games the Spartans will play, with Ole Miss giving them everything they could handle. A lead that got to 10 in the first half was cut to two by MSU, with the Rebels holding a 33-31 advantage at halftime.
Michigan State did not gain their first lead of the game until the second half, when a pair of Carson Cooper free throws put the Spartans ahead 51-50. The game went back and forth from there.
Down the stretch, Michigan State did exactly what they needed to do, getting timely stops, but also finally getting easy buckets. Jeremy Fears, Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins and Cooper all made big buckets down the stretch, just playing into the team's mantra, strength in numbers.
Michigan State made their free throws down the stretch, did not make mistakes and closed out the 73-70 victory, punching their ticket for Sunday's Elite 8 contest.
Richardson led the way for the Spartans, scoring 20 points, while Coen Carr scored 15 points in his homecoming. Jaden Akins had 13 points and Tre Holloman had 10, rounding out the Spartans leading scorers.
MSU now awaits the winner of the other Sweet 16 game in the South Region, with Auburn and Michigan squaring off. Stay tuned for who the Spartans will play and the tip time of Sunday's game.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly 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 X @Cory_Linsner
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