His early efforts have pushed No. 4-seed MSU to a 45-33 lead over No.12-seed Harvard.

If the Spartans can hold onto their 12-point lead, they will punch their tickets to the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in seven seasons.

Two days after claiming MSU’s NCAA Tournament scoring record with 41 points, senior forward Adreian Payne has eight points on 3-of-5 shooting. He also missed his first free throw in his NCAA Tournament career, as he clanked one off the rim at the 17:56 mark of the game. He made his previous 30 attempts. 

It was obvious early on in the half that MSU’s athleticism would be overwhelming for the Crimson, as the Spartans ran the floor to give them 10 fast-break points to Harvard’s zero. All 10 of those points came within the first 10 minutes of action too.

The Spartans are also having their way around the rim, as they are outscoring Harvard in the paint 24-14.

Dawson wasted no time pilling up the stats, as he recorded six points, three rebounds and a steal in the game’s first five minutes.

Dawson scored his eighth point of the game on a play that summed up the whole half — an uncontested alley-oop assisted by sophomore guard Gary Harris. Assists, rather than points, are what Harris is giving MSU as he and sophomore guard Denzel Valentine lead the team with four each.

Harvard’s top defender, Wesley Saunders, who is leading the Crimson with 13 points, has been a big reason why Harris only has fired off five shots. He hasn’t been able to shut down the whole green and white brigade, as MSU is shooting 54 percent from the field.

Another stat MSU can hang its hat on is turnover margin — they only have given up the ball once.

MSU only made six trips to the free throw line, where they are shooting 4-of-6.

Senior guard Keith Appling is the lone Spartan in foul trouble, as he has two fouls. Harvard forward Jonah Travis is the only one for the Crimson with two fouls.