Tyson Walker helps No. 12 Michigan State top Portland 88-87
This dunk from Carson Cooper was too nice
This dunk from Carson Cooper was too nice
PORTLAND, Ore. -- — Tyson Walker scored 15 points, and No. 12 Michigan State topped Portland 88-87 on Sunday in the fifth-place game of the Phil Knight Invitational.
The Spartans (5-2) shot 52.5% (31 for 59) from the field, and each of their starters scored in double figures. Pierre Brooks made each of his four 3-point attempts and finished with 15 points. Joey Hauser had 14 points and seven rebounds, and A.J. Hoggard added 12 points and nine assists.
After outscoring Michigan State 13-2 in the last three minutes and getting eight points in less than 30 seconds to make it 78-77 with 40.5 seconds to play, Portland rebounded a Spartans miss with 8.1 seconds to go. The Pilots got the ball inside to Tyler Robertson and his shot rolled off the rim, and a desperation putback by Juan Sebastian Gorosito wasn’t close.
Robertson had 16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals for the Pilots (5-4). Alden Applewhite was 5-of-7 shooting and had a career-high 16 points. Kristian Sjolund made 5 of 6 3-pointers for 15 points.
The Spartans used a 10-0 run early in the second half to erase an eight-point halftime deficit.
After Robertson made two free throws with 1:10 to play to pull Portland to 78-71, the Spartans threw the ball away and Sjolund hit a 3 from the right wing. Robertson then stole the inbounds pass and Moses Wood found Sjolund in the right corner 10 seconds later.
The Pilots were 13 of 29 from 3-point range and 12 of 12 from the foul line while only committing five turnovers.
Portland knocked down nine 3-pointers — Sjolund was 3 for 3 — in the first half and led 42-34 at the break. Michigan State grabbed a 49-46 lead on three foul shots for Mady Sissoko and Hoggard's layup.
Sissoko finished with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
BIG PICTURE
Portland: Despite missing starting point guard Mike Meadows (groin), the Pilots were impressive and less than cordial as co-hosts of the tournament. They lost to No. 1 North Carolina 89-81 and beat Villanova 83-71 before giving Michigan State all it could handle. It bodes well for Year 2 of the Shante Legans rebuild as the Pilots were 1-42 in West Coast Conference play in the three years before his arrival.
Michigan State: Despite the close score, the Spartans still pulled it out. The Spartans appear ready for the rest of their difficult schedule after beating Oregon and losing to 18th-ranked Alabama. Starting forward Malik Hall and key reserve Jaden Akins missed the tournament with injuries.
UP NEXT
Portland gets a much needed breather on Wednesday, facing NAIA Multnomah.
Michigan State goes to Notre Dame for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Jeff Clark
- Justin Porterfield
- Scott Brown
2023-24 West Coast Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Saint Mary's | 15-1 | - | 26-8 |
Gonzaga | 14-2 | 1 | 27-8 |
San Francisco | 11-5 | 4 | 23-11 |
Santa Clara | 10-6 | 5 | 20-13 |
San Diego | 7-9 | 8 | 18-15 |
Pepperdine | 5-11 | 10 | 13-20 |
Loyola Marymount | 5-11 | 10 | 12-19 |
Portland | 5-11 | 10 | 12-21 |
Pacific | 0-16 | 15 | 6-26 |
2023-24 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Purdue | 17-3 | - | 34-5 |
Illinois | 14-6 | 3 | 29-9 |
Nebraska | 12-8 | 5 | 23-11 |
Northwestern | 12-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Wisconsin | 11-9 | 6 | 22-14 |
Indiana | 10-10 | 7 | 19-14 |
Michigan State | 10-10 | 7 | 20-15 |
Iowa | 10-10 | 7 | 19-15 |
Ohio State | 9-11 | 8 | 22-14 |
Minnesota | 9-11 | 8 | 19-15 |
Penn State | 9-11 | 8 | 16-17 |
Maryland | 7-13 | 10 | 16-17 |
Rutgers | 7-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Michigan | 3-17 | 14 | 8-24 |