EAST LANSING, Mich. – Malik Hall scored 15 points and Tyson Walker scored 13 as Michigan State ended its two-game losing streak by beating Rutgers 73-55 on Sunday.
But no basket drew a roar from the home crowd more than the last one of the Michigan State game.
With the game in hand and 54.3 seconds left, fifth-year walk-on Steven Izzo, son of Spartans coach Tom Izzo, checked in. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound guard had never scored in 43 previous games played. .
With 36 seconds left, Izzo received a pass on the right wing from Tre Holloman, dribbled to his left, crossed between his legs and drove Scarlet Knights guard Austin Williams (6-4) to the baseline. Izzo's lofted floater bounced off the rim twice and fell as he drew a foul. After being harassed by his teammates on the baseline, Izzo converted the free throw for the Spartans' final points.
“I love the fact that my players were probably more excited than I was,” Tom Izzo said after the game.
Aundre Hyatt scored 14 points and Mawot Mag added 12 for Rutgers.
Following a 28-22 halftime lead by Michigan State, the Scarlet Knights used the first five minutes of the second half to outscore the Spartans 12-4 and take a 34-32 lead on Williams' layup with 15:20 remaining.
Michigan State (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) struck back 26 seconds later when Jaden Akins hit a 3-pointer to take a one-point lead. Mag gave Rutgers the lead with a layup with 14:13 left, but the lead was short-lived when Hall dunked and followed with a three-point play to start a 19-0 Michigan State outburst. 4½ minute period.
The Spartans led 54-36 until Hyatt made two free throws to end the Scarlet Knights' five-minute scoring drought.
Rutgers (9-7, 1-4) hosts Nebraska on Wednesday. Michigan State hosts Minnesota on Thursday.
