MSU survives scare from USC, advance to first-ever Sweet 16
It wasn’t pretty, but the Spartans found a way to win. Lindsay Bowen led the way with 19 points, and former Glen Lake star Liz Shimek added 14. Bowen hit 4 threes in the 2nd half, to help the Spartans advance farther than ever before. This could be exactly the type of game they needed to continue their amazing season!
(1) Michigan St. 61, (8) USC 59
AP article by Chuck Schoffner
Minneapolis (AP) — With quick hands and a sure shot, Rene Haynes spared top-seeded Michigan State the embarrassment — a disappointment — of an early exit from the NCAA tournament.
Haynes came up with the ball in a wild scramble and made a layup with 2.9 seconds left, giving Michigan State a 61-59 victory over eighth-seeded Southern California in a second-round game Monday night.
“I saw every one of my teammates just going all out,” Haynes said. “They all hit the ground for the ball. Everybody wanted it. We came up with it because of heart and determination. It was all heart.”
Hearts were pounding on the Michigan State side because it was a scary game for the Spartans (30-3), who were outhustled and outrebounded by their young, scrappy opponent. But they survived to reach the round of 16 for the first time and will take a 14-game winning streak into the semifinals of the Kansas City Regional on Sunday, where they will face fifth-seeded Vanderbilt.
Related ArticlesNice article on MSU’s Shimek, Bowen
Freep: Shimek’s game brings the noise
Spartans fall to Wisconsin, 0-2 in the Big Ten
Pistons whip Pacers to take 3-2 series lead
Shimek’s MSU career ends with loss to Duke
