BTN.com staff, March 22, 2012

Louisville's defense shut down Michigan State as the Cardinals upset the Spartans 57-44 Thursday at US Airways Center in Phoenix in the Sweet Sixteen. Scoring so few points is rare for Michigan State (29-8), a team that came in averaging 74.1 points per game this season.

West Regional – Round 4: #4 Louisville 57, #1 Michigan State 44
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FAST RECAP: Louisville's defense shut down Michigan State, as the Cardinals defeated the Spartans 57-44 in an upset on Thursday at US Airways Center in Phoenix in the Sweet Sixteen. Scoring so few points is rare for Michigan State (29-8), a team that came in averaging 74.1 points per game this season. Louisville (29-9) held the Spartans to 29 percent shooting from the field and hauled in 25 defensive boards, while only allowing six offensive rebounds. Draymond Green had a good game for Michigan State in defeat with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Chane Behanan sparked the Cardinals, as he scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and made 6-of-10 shots from the floor in the victory. Louisville had trouble finding its touch, shooting just 38 percent (21-of-55) from the field. The Cardinals shot 9-of-23 from three-point range during the game, good for 39 percent. Louisville also got a solid contribution from Russ Smith, who scored 11. The Spartans had 12 assists on 14 baskets. Michigan State also got a double-digit effort from Brandon Wood, who scored 14. The Cardinals push their winning streak to seven games and break the Spartans' five-game winning streak with the victory.

FAST HALFTIME RECAP: Louisville held Michigan State's offense to 27 percent shooting, helping the Cardinals to a 23-18 halftime advantage. The Spartans moved the ball in the first half, accounting for five assists on six field goals. Kyle Kuric, the leading scorer this season for Louisville, has not made much of an impact through the first 20 minutes. The senior is averaging 13 per game for the year, but has just zero points at the break.

The Cardinals shot 7-of-15 from beyond the arc in the first half (47 percent). Louisville distributed the ball well, with five assists on eight field goals in the first half. Draymond Green led the way for Michigan State in the first half, with seven points and seven rebounds. The Cardinals' Jared Swopshire had a big first half, with six points.

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