With the game tied at 55, Holloman launched a three-quarter-court heave as time expired, watching as it swished through the net in what felt like slow motion.

MSU’s (23-5, 14-3 Big Ten) 58-55 victory over Maryland moved it a half-game ahead of Michigan in the Big Ten standings and marked its seventh road win — tied for the most in the conference — while extending its win streak to four.

MSU endured one of its worst offensive halves of the season. The Spartans opened 3-for-4 from the field, fueled by two early buckets from Jase Richardson, who finished the half with a team-high nine points. From there, the team shot 6-for-27 in the remainder of the half, tortured by multiple scoring droughts and costly turnovers.

MSU shot just 9-for-31 in the first half, but its defense held Maryland to 8-for-28 in an overall sloppy offensive showing from both teams. The Spartans committed nine first-half turnovers, three of them during a four-minute scoreless stretch, but managed to force six on the other end.

MSU missed all five of its three-point attempts but dominated the boards, outrebounding Maryland 24-18. However, it converted just two points off five offensive rebounds.

Relying on bigs heavily in the first half, MSU picked up 16 points in the paint, including a ferocious Coen Carr with nearly four minutes left in the first half. MSU led for almost 13 of the first 20 minutes but let Maryland get to a 23-21 lead at the break.

MSU’s defense wasn’t the issue in the first half, as it limited Maryland to just one three-pointer and 29% shooting from the field.

Overall, MSU’s and Maryland’s subpar offensive performances overpowered both teams great defensive performances.

MSU reclaimed the lead at 28-27 with 15:24 remaining and never trailed again. The Spartans maintained an uncomfortable lead, usually within five points, and periodically Maryland tied the game.

The final minute was pure chaos: Maryland hit two free throws to make it 55-53, then Holloman turned the ball over and fouled Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who tied the game at the line.

With 30 seconds left, Maryland had a chance to win, but Gillespie missed a deep three. Jaxon Kohler secured the rebound, dished it to Holloman, and the rest was history — a buzzer-beater from beyond half-court to seal the win.

MSU won 58-55.

The Spartans shot an abysmal 22-for-65 from the field, and 4-for-15 from three-point range. They tightened their offense in the latter half, only causing three turnovers, and outrebounded Maryland 45 to 33, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds, which led to 10 second-chance points.

MSU’s points in the paint, aided by its bigs, helped the Spartans stay in the game and keep their small leads throughout. 

The Spartans held Maryland to its fewest points this season and 15-for-48 shooting. Before this win, MSU had contained four opponents to make under 20 field goal attempts, which all resulted in wins. Maryland didn’t make a single field goal in the last five minutes.

Maryland’s “Crab Five” starters carried the load, playing between 23 and 39 minutes each while the bench failed to contribute a single point.

MSU returns home to face No. 11 Wisconsin on Sunday, March 2, at 1:30 p.m., with coverage on Paramount+.