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EAST LANSING, Michigan – – Tom Izzo walked into the locker room with his fists in the air and a smile on his face, welcoming water sprayed on by Michigan State players celebrating what clearly wasn’t fair another victory.
Aaron Henry had 18 points to help the Spartans improve their chances of making it into the NCAA tournament with a 71-67 victory over the Ohio State No.4 Thursday night, two days after the Izzo team beat the No. 5 Illinois by nine points.
The Hall of Fame coach led Michigan State to the National Championship in 2000, at the start of a 22 consecutive NCAA tournament series that included eight trips to the Final Four.
This year, however, it looked like the Spartans (13-9, 7-9 Big Ten) wouldn’t make their usual appearance in the NCAA tournament before their recent soaring with three straight wins.
And that’s why Izzo had no problem with the post-game celebration.
“There would have been days when I would have chewed them for that,” he says.
Michigan State beat the top five teams in consecutive conference games for the first time in program history.
The Spartans recovered from a nine-point second-period deficit against Ohio State, Gabe Brown finishing with 11 points and Josh Langford making key plays on both ends of the field.
The Buckeyes (18-6, 12-6) closed the game without coach Chris Holtmann, who was sent off for arguing with officials when called up for a second technical foul at 1.4 seconds of the end.
“I’m not going to talk specifically about refereeing,” Holtmann said.
Ohio State’s EJ Liddell had 18 points on 4 of 13 shots and Duane Washington scored 17 of 7 of 16 shots.
“We struggled to finish around the baskets,” said Holtmann.
CJ Walker scored 12 points and Judge Sueing added 10 for the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes took a 49-40 lead midway through the second half, but Henry and Langford didn’t let them slip away as Michigan State beat them 15-6 to advance to a total of 55 at 6:42 to play.
Malik Hall made free throws to put the Spartans 64-63 ahead with 2:23 left. Henry called with a jumper to give them a three-point lead with 1:08 remaining.
The two teams took turns taking free throws until Joey Hauser of Michigan State missed the first of two free throws.
This gave the Buckeyes the ball with 12.8 seconds left and a chance to either tie or win the game in regulation. Washington came in short, defended by Langford, on a layup with about five seconds left to trigger Holtmann’s second technique.
“Give the state of Michigan credit,” said Holtmann. “They were more physical.”
Michigan State was coming off an 81-72 victory over No.5 Illinois at home on Tuesday and started strong against the Buckeyes, leading 11-6 minutes into the game. Henry went to the bench with 6:45 left in the first half after being called up for a second foul and scoring nine points, leading the Buckeyes to a 38-33 lead at halftime.
BIG PICTURE
Ohio State: Despite losing to Michigan State after a 92-87 loss to Michigan, earning the highest ranking in the NCAA tournament is still within reach for the Buckeyes.
“They’re always a seed in my mind,” Izzo said. “In our conference there are so many great teams and you never have a night off.”
Michigan State: Even though the once shaken team has bounced back, they probably have to end the season strong and avoid a flop in the Big Ten tournament to win a playoff bid.
“We have to continue to be hungry,” Henry said.
INJURY REPORT
Ohio State: Senior forward Kyle Young, who averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and started 22 games, was out for the game with a concussion after hitting his headed with a Michigan player in Sunday’s loss.
“He’s kind of like our glue guy,” Walker said.
Junior guard Musa Jallow missed a second straight game with an ankle injury.
Michigan State: Playmaker Foster Loyer was on the bench, but not in uniform, resting his injured left shoulder for a third straight game.
SURVEY IMPLICATIONS
The Buckeyes have a chance to hold onto their high position in the Top 25 with another chance for a quality home win over the Iowa No.9 on Sunday.
FOLLOWING
Ohio State: Host the Hawkeyes on Sunday, three days after their 79-57 loss to No.3 Michigan.
Michigan State: Play 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 on https://twitter.com/larrylage
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