EAST LANSING, Michigan – – Tom Izzo entered the locker room with his fists in the air and a smile from ear to ear on his face, welcoming the water being soaked over him by Michigan State players celebrating what was clearly not just another victory .
Aaron Henry scored 18 points to help the Spartans improve their chances of reaching the NCAA Tournament with a 71-67 victory over Ohio State No. 4 on Thursday night, two days after Izzo’s team won the Illinois No. 5 for nine points.
The Hall of Fame coach took Michigan State to the national championship in 2000, at the start of a series of 22 consecutive NCAA tournaments that includes eight trips to the Final Four.
This year, however, it looked like the Spartans (13-9, 7-9 Big Ten) would not make their usual appearance at the NCAA Tournament until their recent wave with three consecutive wins.
Which is why Izzo had no problems with the post-game celebration.
“There would be days when I would have scolded them for this,” he said.
Michigan won the first five teams in consecutive conference games for the first time in the program’s history.
The Spartans recovered from a nine-point handicap in the second half against Ohio State, with Gabe Brown finishing with 11 points and Josh Langford making important plays at both ends of the court.
The Buckeyes (18-6, 12-6) closed the game without coach Chris Holtmann, who was sent off for arguing with the referees when he was called up for a second technical foul 1.4 seconds from the end.
“I’m not going to talk specifically about arbitration,” said Holtmann.
Ohio State’s EJ Liddell made 18 points out of 4 out of 13 shots and Duane Washington scored 17 out of 7 out of 16 shots.
“We had trouble finishing around the baskets,” said Holtmann.
CJ Walker scored 12 points and Justice Sueing added 10 for the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes advanced 49-40 in the middle of the second half, but Henry and Langford would not let them back, as Michigan State beat them 15-6 to draw 55 for everyone, with 6:42 left.
Malik Hall made free throws to put the Spartans ahead 64-63 with 2:23 left. Henry jumped on to give them a three point lead with 1:08 remaining.
Both teams took turns making free throws until Michigan State’s Joey Hauser missed the first of two free throws.
This gave the Buckeyes the ball with 12.8 seconds remaining and a chance to tie or win the game in regulation. Washington fell short, defended by Langford, on a tray with about five seconds remaining to trigger Holtmann’s second technique.
“Give credit to the state of Michigan,” said Holtmann. “They were more physical.”
Michigan State was coming out of an 81-72 victory over No. 5 Illinois at home on Tuesday and started out strong against the Buckeyes, winning 11-6 with just a few minutes of play. Henry went to the bench with 6:45 left in the first half after being called for a second foul and scoring nine points, leading the Buckeyes to win 38-33 at halftime.
BIG PICTURE
Ohio State: Despite losing at Michigan State after a 92-87 setback to Michigan, winning the best ranking in the NCAA Tournament is still within reach of the Buckeyes.
“They are still a seed in my mind,” said Izzo. “In our conference, there are so many good teams and you never have a night off.”
Michigan State: As much as the team, previously staggering, has recovered, it will probably have to close the season tightly and avoid a flop in the Big Ten Tournament to win a post-season offer.
“We need to stay hungry,” said Henry.
INJURY REPORT
Ohio State: Senior striker Kyle Young, who averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and started 22 games, was out of the game because of a concussion after hitting a Michigan player on the head in Sunday’s defeat.
“He’s like our glue guy,” said Walker.
Junior guard Musa Jallow lost his second game in a row due to an ankle injury.
Michigan State: Guard Foster Loyer was on the bench, but not in uniform, resting his injured left shoulder for the third consecutive game.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Buckeyes have a chance to maintain their high position in the Top 25 with another chance to win a quality victory at home against No. 9 Iowa on Sunday.
NEXT
Ohio State: Host the Hawkeyes on Sunday, three days after the 79-57 defeat at No. 3 Michigan.
Michigan State: Play in Maryland on Sunday, a third game in six days against a team that has been resting and training since defeating Rutgers on February 21.
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Follow Larry Lage at https://twitter.com/larrylage
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