Indiana Knocks Off Michigan State 65-64, Seals Win with Kel'el Ware Free Throw
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Kel'el Ware was having himself a day. That's no real surprise, because he's been Indiana's best player down the stretch.
But what he couldn't do Sunday against Michigan State was make a free throw. He missed his first five attempts, including the first of two attempts with the game tied and 17 seconds to go.
But he made the second one and Indiana's defense — which was crazy good in the first half — made one last stop to pull out a stunning 65-64. It was their fourth straight win — all as an underdog — and they've now finished the regular season with an 18-13 record and a 10-10 mark in the Big Ten.
It was only fitting that Ware found a way to win it with that free throw because he had another All-American type of game. He had 28 points and 12 rebounds, his sixth double-double in the past eight games. Malik Reneau had 16 points and added 13, with the Indiana starting front line scoring 57 of Indiana's 65 points.
The win over Michigan State, who's also 18-13 and 10-10, still probably isn't enough to get Indiana into the NCAA Tournament, but it sets the stage for an interesting Big Ten Tournament next week in Minneapolis. A projected No. 12 seed just two weeks ago, the Hoosiers now could be a 6 or 7. The pairings will be announced Sunday night once the final two league games are played.
Indiana couldn't have asked for a better start in its final regular season game of the year. Michigan State didn't hit double digits until the 8:35 mark and made just three of its first 20 shots as Indiana roared out to a 24-7 lead.
Indiana still led by 13 heading into the final two minutes of the half, but then several Hoosiers turnovers helped Michigan State close out the half with an 8-0 run. Indiana's lead was down to five at the break at 34-29.
Indiana senior guard Trey Galloway started the game with a brace on his left knee, and he wound up playing only seven minutes in the first half. He didn't play at all in the second half, watching from the bench with an ice pack wrapped around his knee.
The Hoosiers got nothing from their bench in the first half. Xavier Johnson, Anthony Walker and Anthony Leal played a combined 29 minutes, and were 0-for-4 from the floor. Johnson had three turnovers himself in 13 minutes of action and also missed a wide-open layup.
But they would do more in the second half, especially after Michigan State took control of the game. Leal and Johnson both made big plays to help the Hoosiers get back in the game.
And they needed it.
The Michigan State rally continued out of the break, going on a 13-2 run to quickly grab the lead. It was 41-36 before Indiana coach Mike Woodson finally called a timeout at the 16:04 mark. Their lead grew to seven at 55-48 with 9:48 to go.
But then the Hoosiers made a run. Mgbako and Johnson hit threes just 48 seconds apart, giving Indiana a 56-55 lead. No one led by more than three points the rest or the way.
Reneau scored at the rim with 2:37 to go, giving the Hoosiers a 62-60 lead. He was fouled on the play, but missed a free throw. Michigan State tied the game on a pair of Tyson Walker free throws, but then Ware scored at the rim on an assist from Johnson.
He was fouled too, but missed his free throw as well. Walker, who had 30 points scored on a drive with 1:28 left. Leal, who didn't score but had three huge second-half assists, had a layup roll off the rim. Michigan State had two chances on the other end, but missed twice. Ware got the rebound, and was fouled on the offensive end with 17 seconds to go.
He made the second one, and Walker couldn't convert a jumper on the other end with four seconds to go. Johnson rebounded for Indiana and ran out the clock.
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- MEET THE OPPONENT, MICHIGAN STATE: Coach Tom Izzo and Michigan State travel to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday for the their season's first matchup against Indiana. The Spartans are 10-9 in conference play and Indiana is 9-10, so Sunday's winner gets an advantage in Big Ten Tournament seeding. CLICK HERE
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