Michigan State reaches Elite Eight with 80-63 win over LSU

The Spartans built a 17-point first-half lead, and pulled away from the Tigers.

March 30, 2019 at 7:07AM
Michigan State forward Gabe Brown (13) and teammates react after he scored against LSU guard Marlon Taylor (14) during the second half
Michigan State forward Gabe Brown (13) and teammates react after he scored against LSU guard Marlon Taylor (14) during the second half (Brian Stensaas — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WASHINGTON – Remember the scare Bradley gave Michigan State to start the NCAA tournament? Seems like eons ago now.

After throttling the Gophers by 20 points in the second round, second-seeded Michigan State had little trouble with third-seeded LSU on Friday at Capital One Arena, winning 80-63 in the East Region semifinals to advance to the Elite Eight for the 10th time in the Tom Izzo era.

The Spartans (31-6) will meet Duke on Sunday for a trip to the Final Four, the fifth NCAA tournament meeting between Izzo and Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Michigan State built a 17-point first-half lead before Tremont Waters led the Tigers back within four early in the second half. Then the Spartans pulled away again, as Aaron Henry finished with a season-high 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Cassius Winston added 17 points.

Freshman Gabe Brown scored 15 points for the Spartans, shooting 4-for-6 from three-point range. Brown came in averaging 2.0 points a game and had scored only five points over Michigan State's previous 12 games.

"He might've had a career, and by career I mean the whole season," Izzo said.

Waters scored 23 points, but the Tigers (28-7) looked discombobulated at the start, and Michigan State was ready to pounce, outrebounding LSU 21-10 in the first half.

Izzo said that was the best the Spartans have rebounded all year.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Michigan State guard Cassius Winston shoots over LSU forward Emmitt Williams (24) during the first half of an East Regional semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Friday, March 29, 2019, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Michigan State guard Cassius Winston shoots over LSU forward Emmitt Williams (24) during the first half of an East Regional semifinal in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Friday, March 29, 2019, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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