With 14 minutes to play in the first half, the Red Storm would add two more to take an 11-0 run beginning with MSU freshman forward Nick Ward fouling redshirt-sophomore Tariq Owens who converted both free throw attempts. MSU's scoring drought lasted nearly three minutes and came to an end with a 3-pointer by fifth-year senior Eron Harris. The Spartans would cut the deficit down to five points with a pair of made free throws from by senior guard Alvin Ellis III with eight minutes to play.

MSU would get back into the game by drawing the Red Storm into foul trouble. By the end of the first half, MSU was in double-bonus with St. John's committing 13 fouls. The Spartans capitalized on the foul trouble by going 10-of-19 from the line before regaining the lead with a Bridges jumper with 3:33 left to play. 

After regaining the lead, MSU converted four of the next five of their shots from the field for [an 8-0 run, spanning over three minutes. Going into the half, St. John's had only converted two of their last 13 field goals and finished the half with a five-minute scoring drought.

Going into the half, Ahmed led St. John's in scoring with eight points, having converted 3-of-8 field goal attempts. For the Spartans, it was Bridges who led the way with 14 points and already had a double-double going into halftime with 12 rebounds, Harris behind him with nine points. 

As a team, the Spartans finished the half 10-of-25 from the field and 2-of-11 from 3-point range. In the backcourt, MSU was able to force four turnovers. St. John's finished the half shooting 25.7 percent from the field.

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