Tyson Walker hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining as Michigan State bolstered its NCAA Tournament hopes with a 68-65 home upset of No. 4 Purdue on Saturday at East Lansing, Mich.
After a timeout with just over 16 seconds remaining, Michigan State put the ball in the hands of Walker, who stepped back and hit a 3-pointer from the wing over Purdue’s Trevion Williams.
On the ensuing inbound play, Purdue turned over the ball at midcourt with 0.4 seconds remaining to give the Spartans the ball. But Michigan State also turned over the ball giving Purdue another chance near midcourt.
The Boilermakers’ entry pass went off Michigan State’s Malik Hall and went out of bounds to end the game.
Gabe Brown scored 13 points and Julius Marble scored 12 points for Michigan State (19-9, 10-7 Big Ten), while Max Christie and A.J. Hoggard each had 11 points for the Spartans.
Zach Edey scored 25 points and Jaden Ivey had 16 points for Purdue (24-5, 13-5), which fell out of a first-place tie with Wisconsin in the conference standings.
Michigan State took a 61-56 lead with 3:38 left, but Purdue cut Michigan State’s lead to 61-60 with 2:14 remaining after back-to-back baskets by Williams.
With the game tied at 63-all with 51.2 seconds remaining, Michigan State took a 65-63 lead on two free throws by Marble. Purdue tied the game 65-all with 30.7 seconds left on a putback layup by Williams to set up Walker’s heroics for the Spartans. Williams finished with 11 points for Purdue.
Michigan State held a 35-33 lead at halftime, and then took a 44-38 lead with 15:18 remaining in the game after a 3-pointer by Joey Hauser.
Purdue responded by scoring the next four points, but Michigan State then went on a 9-0 run to take a 55-44 lead with 10:43 left.
The Boilermakers answered, cutting Michigan State’s lead to 59-56 with 5:25 after a basket by Edey.
Michigan State started strong in a back-and-forth first half, going on an 8-0 run to take a 28-21 lead with 5:24 remaining in the first half.
–Field Level Media
