In their first home game since the deadly campus shootings that killed three students and hospitalized five others, the Michigan State Spartans delivered an upset.
michigan state defeated No. 17 Indiana 80-65 on Tuesday night at the Breslin Center, shaking off a slow start to move to 17-10 on the season.
Michigan State’s Tyson Walker shoots against Indiana’s Malik Reneau during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
«It was definitely emotional,» Spartans senior guard Tyson Walker said. «Everyone was involved in some way because they’re all on campus. So it was definitely good to go out there and play well for everyone.»
MICHIGAN STATE ALUMNI, DIRECTED BY MAGIC JOHNSON, LUNTAN TIRE ‘TRAGIC’ AT SCHOOL
Just eight days after the shooting, the arena held a moment of silence and recognized the victims, survivors and first responders before the game.
«I wish I could have run up to the front row and thanked the people that were there,» Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo observes a moment of silence before the team’s NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in East Lansing, Michigan. Hundreds of people packed a Detroit church Tuesday for the funeral of a 19-year-old Detroit-area woman, an aspiring doctor who was one of three students shot to death last week in the state of Michigan. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Once play began, Michigan State quickly fell behind the Hoosiers, down 22-13 with just over six minutes to play in the first half.
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However the Spartans closed half on a 22-7 run, taking a 35-29 locker room lead and never looking back.
The Spartans got 23 points from Walker and 22 points from junior guard AJ Hoggard, shooting 47.6% from beyond the 3-point line as a team.
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Jerseys are placed in the front row of the Breslin Center for the three dead and five injured Michigan State students before an NCAA college basketball game between Indiana and Michigan State on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Following the deadly shooting, Michigan State’s game against Minnesota was postponed.
the spartans played against michigan on their return to the field, losing 84-72.
Michigan State heads to Iowa on Saturday, while Indiana will play No. 5 Purdue on the road.