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November 17, 2009 in Sports
Zags fall short at Michigan State
Gonzaga’s Robert Sacre (00) dunks against Michigan State’s Delvon Roe, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, in East Lansing, Mich.
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Durrell Summers hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:02 left, made two at the line with 5.7 seconds to go and finished with 21 points to help No. 2 Michigan State rally for a 75-71 win over Gonzaga on Tuesday night.
The Spartans (2-0) won their 41st straight game at home against a nonconference team, extending a streak that started after a lost to Duke on Dec. 3, 2003.
Robert Sacre matched a career high with 17 points for the Bulldogs (1-1) despite foul trouble. Gonzaga freshman Elias Harris scored 17, Matt Bouldin had 15 points and Steven Gray added 13.
Kalin Lucas made a layup with 39 seconds left to give Michigan State a three-point lead and finished with 19 points. Raymar Morgan scored 16 off the bench.
Michigan State scored first, then was out played by Gonzaga for much of the game.
The Bulldogs led by 13 midway through the first half and were ahead 35-30 at halftime.
They built another double-digit lead early in the second half, but were hurt by the 7-foot Sacre getting called for a third foul and 7-5 reserve Will Foster getting a fourth foul shortly after halftime.
Michigan State freshman Derrick Nix made a putback with 11:52 left in the game to put the home team ahead for the first time since the opening minute.
The Bulldogs, though, refused to wilt in the raucous Breslin Center despite having one of their youngest teams since becoming one of college basketball’s stronger programs.
Sacre made a shot midway through the second half to put Gonzaga ahead by seven and a fadeaway with 4:42 to go for a 65-61 lead.
The Spartans made enough shots and stops in the final minutes in a game that will get them ready to play Florida, North Carolina and Texas before Big Ten play.
Gonzaga, hoping to reload instead of rebuild, also faces a tough schedule with games against Wake Forest, Arizona or Wisconsin, Duke, Oklahoma and 23rd-ranked Illinois before starting its West Coast Conference slate.
© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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rterrylynch on November 18 at 12:09 a.m.
This year’s team is exciting to watch. I’m very disappointed they couldn’t quite cut it at MSU. They had the game down to the last few minutes but couldn’t wrap up the package. If only a couple of the seniors could have worked their magic, it was a done deal. The newbies are outstanding and promise a great team far beyond anything in the past.
Great show guys… keep up the good work; we are rooting for you.
Chasbo on November 18 at 7:03 a.m.
Matt Bouldin lost this game.
LawrenceOswald on November 19 at 6:59 a.m.
Going into this game there was little indication of the prospects of the 2009-2010 Zags. After the fact it is easy to nit pick forgetting that Gonzaga was totally competitive against one of the best programs in the country. MSU, finalists last year, with the core of their team returning, ranked number TWO and the game went down to the wire. Although not a victory this is a huge indication that this season will be exciting. Good job and good luck to the entire team.
bigbeau on November 19 at 1:31 p.m.
“We didn’t care if we won the game or not.” These are Coach Fews words on the “Zag Stumble Late” feature. What the @#$%&! kind of comment is that?! I am a BIGTIME Zags hoops fan.But to hear the coach say something like that floors me! This pattern over the years of dominating till 5 mins. to go, then lose is getting old. I have always questioned this and now I understand. “We don’t care if we win or not.” This is a special group this year and these kids deserve more than that coming from their coach. Simply amazing comments.WOW!