Spartans Secure Triple-Bye, Edge Rutgers in Senior Night

0:00On March 6th, Michigan State wrapped up senior night with a close 91-87 win over Rutgers on Thursday, March 5th. The eighth ranked Spartans improved to 25 wins and five losses overall, 15-4 in the big 10. That victory locked in a triple-by in top 4 seed for next week's tournament in Chicago. The game got tense in the final minute and a half. Michigan State held an 83-68 lead, but Rutgers rattled off a 19-6 run, hitting nine straight shots including four. Threes. Coach Tom Izzo had put in an all-seniors lineup for the traditional floor-kissing moment, but had to sub back starters to seal the deal. Players saw it as a wake-up call for March Madness. Senior Jackson Kohler called it a reminder to close out games properly, especially after his 15 points in seven rebounds in his last home game. The team shook off a slow start, with a strong second half-sourge to pull ahead. And now Junior Cohen Carr had one of his best games, scoring efficiently with dunks off

1:00lobs from Jeremy Fierce Jr., who added 21 points and eight assists. Fierce moved into third on the school's single-season assist list. He also picked up a technical foul for pointing at the scoreboard replay, a rule Izzo admitted he overlooked. Now the Spartans turned to Sunday's rivalry matchup against Third Ranked Michigan, who clinched the big 10 title. No joke, it was good, they didn't finish too strong to keep the Wolverines from getting called, setting up a big finish for the regular season.