Written by BTN.com staffBoth teams went more than 4 minutes without scoring down the stretch. Dawson broke the drought, hitting one of two from the free throw line to put the Spartans (17-3, 6-1) up 48-44 with just over 2 minutes left.
Ryan Evans‘ 3-pointer from the wing with 17 seconds left pulled Wisconsin within 48-47.
Michigan State freshman Gary Harris was fouled and hit front end of a 1-and-1, but rimmed out the second, leaving Michigan State up 49-47.
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Ryan Evans hits big 3-pointer:
Branden Dawson goes for reverse layup:
Denzel Valentine misses dunk, Keith Appling hits 3:
FINAL: No. 11 Michigan State held Wisconsin to 16-of-54 shooting, as defense led the Spartans to a 49-47 victory on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison. Branden Dawson picked up the Spartans with a career-high 18 points and 13 rebounds. There were nine lead changes in the game. Michigan State shot just 38 percent from the field (18-of-48). The Spartans also got a double-digit game from Keith Appling (19 points). Mike Bruesewitz had 10 points and hauled in seven rebounds for the Badgers in the game. Wisconsin was able to secure 22 offensive boards.
HALFTIME: While Branden Dawson had a strong first half, Wisconsin leads No. 11 Michigan State, 28-27, at the half. In the first 20 minutes, Dawson scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Badgers led 19-12 when they went the next 3:07 without scoring to allow the Spartans to tie the game 19-19 with a 7-0 run in the first. Wisconsin’s Jared Berggren put together a solid all-around half, with six points, three rebounds and three assists.
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Wisconsin only shot 30 percent (16-54) from the field. Second chance points kept Wisky in the game or MSU wins by doube digits, so good job by them to keep themselves in the game. First place at 6-1 with 3 road wins, can MSU finally get some credit instead of just Michigan and Indiana?
And if Wisconsin doesn’t shoot 7-18 from the FT line, it wins. I can play that game too…
Spartans are playing great basketball and need to keep it up. Everyone taking turns to lead in scoring. Just keep playing defense and scoring will come.
That’s my point bucky, in the article it says how bad MSU shot, well Wisky shot bad too, both teams played great defense. When it comes to free throws, Wisky can only blame themselves, so your argument is apples to oranges.
No way should Bucky shoot sub 40% from the line at home. Hard to fathom.
Thank you JB, that’s my point. Another close defensive batttle between these teams, no one should be surprised by how close the game was.