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EAST LANSING – Michigan State started their week defeating their toughest nemesis in years by winning the program’s first-ever road game at Duke.
He ended it by surviving the fear of a pest of the Breslin center of yesteryear.
The Michigan State No.8 came back from a second-half deficit to pass Detroit Mercy, 83-76, Friday night at the Breslin Center.
After a tight opening 33 minutes that saw UDM lead by no less than five, second-year Spartans goaltender Rocket Watts led a charge in the second period that ultimately sealed the victory.
Watts checked midway through the second half with UDM leading by five and registered eight points in a 2:21 period to help the Spartans recover.
He then found Gabe Brown for two straight baskets, including the second on a baseline practice with 5:48 left to give Michigan State a two-point lead.
Detroit Mercy (0-1) remained in a basket until the last two minutes, until Titans star goalie Antoine Smith missed a potential jumper with 1:14 left and the Spartans (4- 0) receive baskets from Brown and Julius Marble. to seal the victory.
Watts finished with 23 points and Brown had 16, including 10 in the 6:35 final. Aaron Henry had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Joey Hauser had 10 points.
Davis had 24 points for the Titans.
The Titans have won three straight games against Michigan State in the first three years of Tom Izzo’s tenure, including two at the Breslin Center.
For much of Friday night, they looked set to do the same almost a quarter of a century later as they were excited in their season opener against a team from the State. Michigan who played the often absurd first 20 minutes.
Tom Izzo was publicly worried ahead of the game that his side might come out flat three days after an emotional top 10 victory and quickly saw his fears come true.
A team that had been strong defensively in their first three games of the year allowed UDM players to drive for open layups. The team that averaged over 25 assists in their first two games continued to struggle to move the ball, with just five assists in the opening 20 minutes.
Detroit Mercy accompanied the Spartans on the boards throughout the game. The Spartans’ turnover problems since their first game have returned, with 17 for the game.
The Spartans only shot 3-12 from long range for half-time despite the lack of open looks and went 4-13 on layups.
Joey Hauser came out and made three baskets in the first four minutes of the second half, punctuated by a 3-point, to help Michigan State start.
But Detroit Mercy also had answers. The Titans’ Matt Johnson hit three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the second half, including two from the same place on back-to-back possessions to deprive the Spartans of any momentum and help his team regain the lead.
Michigan State cut the deficit to one point with back-to-back jumpers from Watts, whose second came with 8:52 to go, but Detroit Mercy responded with a 3-point past his own bench, then a steal.
Watts, however, had more of it. He hit a pair of free throws and then a jumper to tie the game with 7:08 left as he put his team on their backs and ultimately led them to a win.
Michigan State played without head goaltender Joshua Langford, who was a game-time decision due to a knee injury.
After three outstanding first games of the season – comfortable wins over Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame, then the program’s first-ever win at Duke – Michigan State returned to earth thanks to a spirited team from Detroit Mercy who did not lack energy for the Breslin Center.
Michigan State will have just one day until Sunday’s game against West Michigan.
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