Michigan State survives Villanova comeback bid, 73-71

Updated Nov. 18, 2022 11:30 p.m. ET
Associated Press

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tyson Walker scored 22 points and Michigan State held off a late Villanova rally to pull out a 73-71 victory on Friday Night.

Walker's jumper with 1:58 left gave the Spartans a 70-63 lead, but Eric Dixon answered with a 3 to cut the Villanova deficit to 70-66, and after trading layups, Caleb Daniels stole the ball from Michigan State's Joey Hauser with 53 seconds left and Jordan Longino drained the 3-pointer to get the Wildcats within one, 72-71. Walker hit the first of two free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 73-71 and Dixon's potential winning 3 caromed off and the Spartans grabbed the rebound.

A.J. Hoggard hit 3 of 6 from distance and posted a double-double for Michigan State (3-1), scoring 13 points and dishing 10 assists. Hauser added 13 points and Malik Hall hit 2 of 3 from behind the arc and contributed 12 points.

Dixon finished with 24 points and nine rebounds to lead Villanova (2-2). Brandon Slater had 16 points and Daniels added 13 points and had three steals.

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Both teams head to Portland, Oregon, for the Phil Knight Invitational. Villanova faces Iowa State and Michigan State takes on No. 18 Alabama in first-round games and, Ore. on Thanksgiving Day.

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