Michigan State University
1-2,0-0Big Ten
Duke
2-1,0-0ACC
No. 18 Michigan State Falls Short Against No. 9 Duke in Champions Classic, 74-65
11/14/2023 10:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO, Ill. – No. 18 Michigan State cut an 11-point halftime deficit to single digits during the second half, but would not get closer than three points as the Spartans lost to No. 9 Duke, 74-65, in the Champions Classic at United Center on Tuesday night.
The Spartans fall to 1-2 overall, while the Blue Devils improve to 2-1.
Graduate guard Tyson Walker scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Spartans, while graduate forward Malik Hall added 18 points and junior guard Jaden Akins chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.
Recap
- The Spartans trailed by 11 points (31-20) at the break and were down 51-40 after a put-back layup from Caleb Foster with 10:23 to play in the game.
- MSU responded with an 8-0 run with 3-pointers from Walker sandwiched around an alley-oop dunk from freshman forward Coen Carr, pulling to within three points, 51-48, on the second of Walker's shots from long distance with 8:34 left.
- Twice MSU trailed by three points, the latter after a Hall layup making it 55-52 with 6:07 left.
- The Blue Devils responded with a 13-4 run and took a 12-point lead, 68-56, after back-to-back 3-pointers from 1:55 left.
Up Next
Michigan State returns home to the Breslin Center on Friday, Nov. 17, hosting Butler in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. and will air on FS1, with Kevin Kugler and Robbie Hummel calling all of the action.
