Michigan State University
4-2,0-0Big Ten
Georgia
4-2,0-0SEC
No. 3 Michigan State Holds Off Georgia, 93-85, in Maui
11/26/2019 5:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
AP Basketball Writer
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) Cassius Winston had a season-high 28 points and eight assists, and No. 3 Michigan State withstood Anthony Edwards' second-half outburst to beat Georgia, 93-85, at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on Tuesday inside the Lahaina Civic Center.
Michigan State (4-2) was sharp early, building a 28-point lead early in the second half (61-33) before Edwards and the Bulldogs narrowed the gap with a 20-3 run to cut MSU's lead to nine, 65-56, with 11:27 remaining in the game. Edwards brought the Bulldogs (3-2) back almost entirely by himself, scoring 33 of his 37 points in the second half as the Bulldogs got within two, 75-73, with 4:57 left in the game.
Michigan State gathered itself after the Edwards onslaught, stretching the lead back to nine before hitting four straight free-throws in the final 34 seconds.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo called Winston a shell of himself after a quiet game in the Maui opener against Virginia Tech. A preseason All-American and favorite for National Player of the Year, Winston was held to seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in Michigan State's 71-66 loss to the Hokies.
Winston was back to being himself in the first half against Georgia, confidently stroking in jumpers and working his way into the lane, Winston had 13 points in the first half while orchestrating the Spartans efficient offense. Michigan State made 20-of-36 shots and led 57-33 at halftime.
Junior forward Xavier Tillman finished the game with his second double-double of the season and seventh of his career with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Aaron Henry continued his stellar play on the perimeter for the Spartans, finishing in double figures for the second-straight game. Henry collected 14 points in 36 minutes of action for the Spartans.
UP NEXT
Michigan State plays the Chaminade-UCLA winner in the fifth-place game tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. ET.
