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Basketball

John Neidhart ·
BASKETBALL

Survive and advance: MSU holds off Ohio State to advance to semifinals of Big Ten tournament

John Neidhart
March 13, 2015

In its Windy City Big Ten tournament opener, MSU’s door blew open and shut all night long. No lead has been safe for the Spartans this year but with an eerily competitive recent history with Ohio State, MSU knew it would have to play all 40 minutes. After losing double-digit leads multiple times, MSU eventually held on for a 76-67 victory. Junior guard Denzel Valentine finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists and senior guard Travis Trice totaled 18 points.

BASKETBALL

Blame inconsistency and scheduling for no first team All-Big Ten selections, Izzo says

Omari Sankofa II
March 12, 2015

Despite clinching the third seed in the Big Ten tournament, the men's basketball team saw zero first team All-Big Ten selections and just one second team selection. Head coach Tom Izzo points his finger to inconsistency and scheduling as a reason for any potential snubs.  With the Big Ten conference being recently expanded to 14 teams with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, many conference teams only face each other once, ensuring the customary  

BASKETBALL

Dawson, Trice and Valentine receive All-Big Ten honors

Omari Sankofa II
March 9, 2015

Three men's basketball players received All-Big Ten honors on Monday. Senior forward Branden Dawson led MSU with an All-Big Ten second team selection, and junior guard Denzel Valentine and senior guard Travis Trice each received third team selections.  Dawson leads the conference in rebounding, pulling down 9.3 per game, to go with 11.6 points and 1.5 blocks.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball blows out U-M in the Big Ten tournament 69-49

Zach Libby
March 5, 2015

It was exactly one month ago today when the Spartans were obliterated in East Lansing by the hands of their instate rivals by a 13 point margin, begin swept in the regular-season for the first time in over a decade.  It's always a difficult task to beat a team three times in a row, especially when that opponent is riding a three game winning streak at the conclusion of the season.  That was seen at the Sears Centre Aren on Wednesday when something finally clicked for MSU, garnering the second round victory in the Big Ten tournament over the Michigan Wolverines in dominating fashion, 69-49.  Their run towards total annihilation in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, began as early as the 16:37 mark in the first half, by jumping out to an early 12-4 advantage, thanks to an uncontested layup by freshman guard Lexi Gussert underneath the basket.  Things got worse from there, as the Spartans went on a 10-2 run that concluded with Gussert's one of one-of-four three-pointers from beyond the arc.  The freshman tied with Aerial Powers for a team-high 16 points on the afternoon.

BASKETBALL

MSU sends seniors off with win in last game at Breslin Center

John Neidhart
March 5, 2015

On senior night, Travis Trice sent quite the farewell to Spartan fans, leading MSU to a 72-66 victory over Purdue. Trice was electric for MSU (20-10 overall, 11-6 Big Ten), tying his career-high of 27 points. He and fellow senior Branden Dawson returned to the starting lineup but only Trice was able to finish the game. After hitting his head and leaving the game with about eight minutes left in the first half, Dawson went to the locker room and did not return to the contest.

BASKETBALL

Without Branden Dawson MSU tops Purdue 72-66

John Neidhart
March 4, 2015

On senior night, Travis Trice sent quite the farewell to Spartan fans, leading MSU to a 72-66 victory over Purdue. Trice was electric, tying his season-high of 27 points. He and fellow Branden Dawson returned to the starting lineup but only Trice was able to finish the game.