In the final two minutes, MSU and WSU traded blows back-and-forth. A shot by WSU's Markis McDuffie, sat gently on the front rim, eventually failing to fall in, keeping the score 74-72. After Winston made one of his two free throws, WSU had an opportunity to tie the game. Out of a timeout, the Shockers rushed a quick three, clanking it off the back iron, with the rebounding falling in freshman forward Miles Bridges' hands. His free throws would hold the Spartans just ahead of the Shockers, crisis averted.  

The opening five minutes of the second half saw no comeback, but rather MSU controlling tempo, pushing the ball up the wings for fast break opportunities and setting strong, sturdy screens for open three-point looks. Upon the first media timeout, MSU stretched their to 53-38.

The Shockers switched up their man-to-man defense in favor of a 2-3 zone, however, the Spartans took advantage of a skip pass for a corner three-point basket by senior guard Alvin Ellis III. The Shockers quickly switched back to man-to-man. 

After trailing by 16 points, the Shockers turned up the heat on defense with a full-court press, speeding up the game and the Spartans took a bite of the bait. The WSU full court press forced five straight turnovers, turning them into six easy points.

However, MSU was able to regain their composure, keeping their lead at 14 points, come the 10-minute mark. After receding the press, WSU with seven minutes left – enacted it again.

Increasing the pressure and forcing turnovers, the Shockers jumped on the Spartans, obtaining a 14-0 run, decreasing the Spartan advantage to just one point. With 3:30 left to play, the once 18 point Spartan blowout, was soon a one-point game, until a big three-point basket by freshman guard Cassius Winston provided a little more wiggle room.

Bridges was kept under warps for the majority of the first half. After finding himself on the bench with foul trouble, Bridges used the second half to assert himself. Bridges took defenders off the dribble, spinning and softly laying it in with gentle english from his left hand; also rising up and knocking down three-pointers – no rim needed. Bridges would finish with 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting.

A common theme in MSU wins have been their ability to move the ball for easy baskets and shooting a high percentage. In loses, the reverse effect takes hold. Out of 26 Spartan baskets, MSU shot 50 percent and assisted on 20 of them, guard Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. the high with 12 assists.

For the second straight game, sophomore guard Matt McQuaid filled in successfully as the sixth-man. 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting in the first half, 3-3 from long range. In the second half, he would be limited for just two points, finishing with 13.

MSU will be in action again on Tuesday against No. 6 Duke in Durham, N.C. for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The game will be televised on ESPN at 9:30 p.m.