Michigan State pulled off a thrilling 61-59 win over Maryland on Sunday, thanks to a buzzer-beating shot from forward Tyson Walker. The Spartans were able to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit and survive a tightly contested second half to earn the road victory.
Second Half Rally Fuels Michigan State Comeback
The Spartans found themselves down 33-21 at halftime after a sloppy first half performance. However, Tom Izzo’s squad came storming out of the locker room with renewed energy and quickly went on an 8-0 run to cut into the Terrapins’ lead.
“We just kept fighting,” said Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard. “Coach got after us at halftime about our effort and intensity. I think we responded well and played much harder in the second half.”
Michigan State continued chipping away at the deficit behind strong play from Hoggard and Joey Hauser. The Spartans eventually tied the game at 47 with just over seven minutes remaining.
Second Half Scoring
| Team | First Half Points | Second Half Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 21 | 40 | 61 |
| Maryland | 33 | 26 | 59 |
The lead swung back and forth over the last few minutes as both teams traded baskets. Maryland had a chance to seal the win in the closing seconds, but guard Jahmir Young missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw situation. That set the stage for Walker’s game-winning shot.
Tyson Walker Delivers Clutch Shot at Buzzer
After Young’s missed free throw, Michigan State called a timeout to set up a final play with three seconds left. The Spartans got the ball to Walker, who dribbled up court and launched a high-arcing 3-pointer over his defender as time expired. The shot banked in to give Michigan State a dramatic comeback victory.
“I just wanted to get as clean a look as possible,” Walker said of his game-winner. “As soon as it left my hands it felt good. What a great way to get a win.”
Walker scored 14 points on 5-11 shooting from the field. The senior guard also added 4 assists and drew praise from coach Tom Izzo for his clutch performance.
“Tyson showed so much composure and he put the team on his shoulders,” Izzo remarked. “I’m so proud of how he stepped up for us.”
The buzzer-beating win was critical for Michigan State as they aim to build momentum heading into February. It also provided some payback after losing to Maryland on a late shot just three weeks ago.
Hoggard and Davis Lead Physical Effort for Michigan State
While Walker delivered in crunch time, Michigan State needed strong outings from several players to mount their second half comeback. A.J. Hoggard and Mady Sissoko set the tone with tenacious defense and rebounding against the bigger Maryland frontline.
“I knew we had to step up and match their physicality in the post,” said Sissoko, who tallied 7 points and 9 rebounds. “A.J. and I knew our energy would be key so we took it upon ourselves to pick things up.”
Hoggard did a little bit of everything for Michigan State en route to 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The sturdy point guard repeatedly drove into the paint and either scored through contact or found open teammates on the perimeter.
“A.J. was terrific at attacking their defense and creating good looks for us,” Izzo said. “He was one of the main catalysts for the comeback.”
Uncertainty Ahead with Davis Injury
The big concern coming out of the game is the status of forward Jaden Akins, who left in the first half with a foot injury and did not return. Izzo said Akins will be re-evaluated when the team returns to East Lansing.
“We’ll have to see what the doctors say about Jaden’s foot,” Izzo noted. “Hopefully he can heal up quickly because we’re really thin on depth right now.”
Akins’ injury leaves the Spartans even more shorthanded as they’ve recently lost shooting guard Pierre Brooks for 4-6 weeks due to a foot fracture. Michigan State has little time to dwell on the situation as they face a stiff test at Illinois on Tuesday.
In the end, Michigan State showed remarkable resolve to emerge victorious in a hostile environment. The win demonstrates the Spartans’ toughness and poise in critical moments. Walker cemented his status as a prime time shot-maker who can shoulder the scoring load when necessary.
This gutsy road performance should build confidence for Michigan State as they enter a difficult February stretch. Izzo’s squad continues finding ways to win despite battling injuries and depth issues. Sunday’s escape in Maryland is the latest sign that this resilient group will remain a factor in the fiercely competitive Big Ten.
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