A.J. Hoggard had 15 points and six assists and Michigan State extended its winning streak to six games by defeating arch-rival Michigan 59-53 in East Lansing on Saturday afternoon.
Malik Hall also had 15 points for the Spartans (11-4, 3-1 Big Ten) while Tyson Walker added 14 points.
Hunter Dickinson topped the Wolverines (9-6, 3-1) with 18 points and seven rebounds. Kobe Bufkin had 15 points and Jett Howard added 10. Michigan State shot 37.5 percent from the field but limited Michigan to 34.5 percent shooting.
The first half was a defensive struggle, as the teams combined for more turnovers (17) than made field goals (16).
Michigan State had 10 fast-break points, compared to none for Michigan, while taking a 27-18 halftime lead. It was the first time the Wolverines had scored fewer than 20 points in the first half since also scoring 18 in a loss to Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 3, 2019.
Hall led the way with nine points. The contest was tied at 14 with five minutes left in the half. The Spartans then went on an 11-2 run that began with a layup and a 3-point make from Hall. Joey Hauser added a 3-pointer during that span.
Hall was fouled in the final second of the half while chasing after a loose ball and made both free throws.
The Spartans quickly extended their advantage to 14 when the second half began on a 3-pointer by Hoggard and a jumper from Hauser.
Michigan State’s lead fluctuated between nine and 14 points until Dickinson hit a mid-range jumper to cut the Spartans’ advantage to 44-37.
Walker answered with a 3-pointer with six minutes remaining. Michigan then scored six unanswered points to pull within four.
Hall made a jumper with 3:30 left to give the Spartans a 49-43 lead.
Bufkin made a dunk with 24 seconds left to cut Michigan State’s advantage to five. Walker knocked down two free throws before Dickinson drained a 3-pointer.
Walker missed a free throw but Dickinson airballed a 3-point try, ending Michigan’s comeback.
–Field Level Media