Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Freshmen Step Up In Win Over Nebraska

By Colton Wesley

Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo jokes with Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo jokes with Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Michigan State Spartans’ freshmen put on a show on Thursday in the Spartans’ 88-72 home win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Michigan State Spartans (17-11, 9-6) freshmen stepped up in Eron Harris‘ absence and carried Michigan State to an 88-72 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-15, 6-9) on Thursday night as the Big Ten schedule begins to wind down.

Neither offense got off to a fast start but the Spartans warmed up as the half went on, shooting 50% (16/32) from the floor in the first 20 minutes while Nebraska struggled (8/30, 27%).

More from Detroit Jock City

Michigan State closed the first half on a 15-3 run in the last 3:17, including a deep three from Cassius Winston at the buzzer to put them ahead 49-31 at the break.

The Spartans scored the first five points of the second half and led by as many as 23 as Nebraska never got closer than 14 points. The Spartans continued to shoot well, making 13 of 30 field goal attempts (43.3%) in the second half as they rolled to an 88-72 win.

Michigan State’s freshmen carried the day for them all game long in the Spartans’ first game without senior Eron Harris, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury he suffered in Saturday’s loss at Purdue. Four freshmen combined for 64 of Michigan State’s 88 points, led by Miles Bridges and Nick Ward, who each scored 20 and became the first freshman duo to score at least 20 points apiece in a game since Magic Johnson and Jay Vincent. Joshua Langford scored 17 points and Cassius Winston contributed nine while also dishing out eight assists.

The Spartans shot well from the free throw line, making 26 of 35 attempts (74.3%). Michigan State committed nine turnovers, including only three in the second half.

Tai Webster had a double-double for the Cornhuskers, scoring 19 points and grabbing ten rebounds. Evan Taylor also scored ten points. Nebraska shot 39% from the floor (23/59) on the night.

Next: Detroit Pistons Stand Pat At Trade Deadline

Michigan State will host #16 Wisconsin on Saturday at 4:00 on CBS.

Home/Michigan State Spartans