Elite Again…Michigan State defeats Oklahoma, 62-58

Michigan State was able to pull off a close one as they edged Oklahoma, 62-58, in a thrilling fashion. This game was everything college basketball fans could have hoped for. It was two teams going head-to-head and not wanting to lose.

It was an up and down first half for the Spartans as they trailed Oklahoma 31-27 at the half.

Despite starting off a shaky 6-for-21, Michigan State was able close the gap and  put themselves in striking distance going into the half.

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Travis Trice led MSU with10 first half points, while Branden Dawson added eight rebounds.

Even though Michigan State shot 34 percent in the first half, the team was able to stay in the game, largely because of their work on the glass. Michigan State’s nine offensive rebounds in the first half was one of the few offensive bright spots in the first half.

Oklahoma was not exactly on fire either. After a quick start, Oklahoma cooled off and finished the first half shooting just 40 percent and missed six of their first nine free throw attempts.

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Buddy Hield kept Oklahoma alive with his 11 points and two assist.

The second half was just as exciting as the first, as both teams fought down to the closing moments of the game.

Denzel Valentine was able to find his shot following a sub-par game against Virginia.  He finished with 18 points and seven rebounds and was key in MSU’s win.

Trice remained hot in the second half, finishing with 24 points and three rebounds. Dawson picked it up as well. After scoring two points in the first half, Dawson picked it up offensively. He finished with six points and snatched down 11 rebounds.

Free-throws, free-throws, free-throws, at this point a Spartan post without mentioning free-throws would not be right. Michigan State’s struggles from the charity strike continued against Oklahoma.  MSU finished the game with a woeful 56 percent from the line.

Luckily,  MSU was able to escape death as their free-throw numbers did not come back to haunt them and they were able to sink all of them when they counted.

Buddy Hield tried his best, totaling 21 points and six rebounds, but Michigan State proved to be too much.

As a team, Oklahoma went flat after their hot start, theh finished the game shooting 36 percent from the floor and 24 percent from three.

For Spartan fans, another heart attack is dodged until the next time the team takes the court.

Next up for Michigan State is a trip to the Elite Eight and a date with Louisville.