Wreitten by Merrissa Vault
Washington, DC—The Spartans live to fight another day! The Michigan State Spartans prevail over the LSU Tiger’s 80-63 and end the Tiger’s 2018-19 season. The green and white led the full 40 minutes of the competition in the Nation’s Capital and earned a spot in the Elite 8 on Sunday.
Coach Izzo and the Spartans came out like the veteran team in the first half working both ends of the court. Aaron Henry got the streak started landing the first two field goals of the night followed by Junior, Cassius Winston pulling up with the three. LSU superstar, Tremont Waters, put the Tigers on the scoreboard with a lay-up, drawing a foul and cashing in the free throw.
The aggressive offense wasn’t what set the Spartans up for success; the highlight of the first half was the Michigan state defense. Led by the True Freshman, Aaron Henry, the Spartans recorded 21 rebounds and the Tigers settled for 10. Henry accounted for 7 of those rebounds and also led the Spartans in the first half with 13 points, going 6-9 on FG attempts. Cassius Winston went the entire 20 minutes of the first half recording 9 points and 3 assists. Winston found success at the top of the key for multiple 3-point attempts.
LSU’s power Forward, Naz Reid, recorded a total of 4 points in the first half and struggled containing Aaron Henry in the bottom of the paint. Tremont Waters led the Tigers in the first half with 10 points going 3-5 in FG. More quiet than normal, Waters made sure to leave the half with a wakeup call for the Spartans, landing a 3 in the face of Cassius Winston.
The Tigers came out in the second half with their claws contracted and Waters leading the ambush with another 3 pointer to start the half. The tables turned for the first 3 minutes of the second half with LSU applying the pressure and closing the gap, 36-40, hyping up the Louisiana State fans. However, Michigan State regained their momentum and didn’t let LSU get too comfortable. The Spartans extended the lead to as far as 18.
Michigan State continued to apply the pressure the remainder of the game and the last 16 minutes was a showcase of Aaron Henry and Cassius Waters tag teaming to advance the Michigan State Spartans to the Elite 8! The LSU Tigers will return home with a record of 28-7. Aaron Henry led the Spartans with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Michigan State will return to Capital One Arena on Sunday to face the winner of Virginia Tech and Duke University.
