Another bad first half for Michigan State has cost the Spartans a key Big Ten conference game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, 56-55. The Spartans trailed by as much as 15 in the game but found a way to battle all the way back to make it a close game. A foul with 0.2 seconds left on the clock put Malik Hall on the line for 2 shots with score at 56-54 in favor of Illinois. Hall missed the first, and while trying to miss the second for a tip-in, made the second.
The Spartans went into halftime down 34-20 after a half that consisted of 9 turnovers and very little defense.
The Spartans slowly clawed their way back in the game throughout the second half. Chunking away at the lead before a 6-0 run inside the final four minutes had MSU down just 56-54, the first time. A time out was called by MSU which had them running a simple set, ending with a missed elbow jumper by Tyson Walker.
Trent Frazier was given a 1 and 1 to put ice on the game, but missed the front end of it, allowing the Spartans one last chance. That would cumulate in the Malik Hall drive and foul, leading to the missed free throw.
Only two Spartans finished in double figures tonight, Bingham with 13 points and Gabe Brown with 10 points.
MSU is back in action on Saturday against in-state rival Michigan.
