The Michigan State Spartans survived an early scare, but came back with a strong second half to win a close game over the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a score of 68-55. Nebraska had kept it close throughout, but the Spartans responded by laying into them at the beginning of the second half, scoring multiple times to take the lead and hold it throughout, and grabbing more than a ten-point lead by halfway through the second. After that halfway mark, the Cornhuskers brought the game within three points with around eight minutes to go, but Michigan State once again extended their lead, and wouldn't relinquish it.
It was extremely close through the first half of play, too. Michigan State trailed Nebraska 30-29 after one half of play, with Derrick Nix and Draymond Green erasing the five-point deficit they would have taken into the half in the final minute of play, cutting the lead to one before the break.
Green would go on to lead the Spartans (as usual) with 19 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a block. He shot 4-of-11, while making two of his six three point attempts. He really contributed the most with his 9-of-9 mark on free throws. Toney McCray wasn't far behind for the Cornhuskers, with 14 points, six rebounds and an assist, but it wasn't good enough to put them past the No. 17-ranked MSU.
Next, Michigan State will have a tough game against the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers, while the Cornhuskers will take on another ranked team in the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
For more on the Michigan State Spartans, go to The Only Colors. Or if you're more into the Nebraska Cornhuskers, you can head to the aptly named Corn Nation.You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.