MSU basketball beats Northwestern in upset scare

Michigan State basketball secures NCAA Tournament spot with dramatic win over Northwestern, led by seniors Walker and Hall. #MarchMadness

Michigan State basketball has recently secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament after a hard-fought victory against Northwestern. The Spartans displayed some late-game heroics to overcome a three-game losing streak, finishing with a score of 53-49. In the final six minutes of the game, Michigan State outscored the Wildcats 11-to-4, clinching a crucial win for their NCAA Tournament aspirations.

Despite a lackluster first half where the Spartans struggled with their offense, shooting a season-low field goal percentage of 21.9 percent, Michigan State managed to stay within reach of Northwestern, who held a 25-20 lead at halftime. However, the second half saw a much-improved performance from the Spartans, as they quickly regained the lead and maintained it for most of the remainder of the game.

Although Northwestern made a late push to take the lead with just over four minutes left, Michigan State's defense stepped up to secure the victory. A missed three-point attempt from Ryan Langborg in the final seconds allowed the Spartans to hold on to a two-point lead, with Tre Holloman sealing the win with two free throws.

Offensively, seniors Tyson Walker and Malik Hall led the charge for Michigan State, contributing 19 and 15 points, respectively, while Holloman added 12 points to the scoreboard. With this win, Michigan State's overall record stands at 18-12, with a conference record of 10-9 in Big Ten play.

Looking ahead, Michigan State will conclude their regular season with a road game against Indiana on Sunday, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. This victory over Northwestern significantly boosts the Spartans' chances of making a return to the NCAA Tournament this season, highlighting their resilience and determination on the court.