5 Takeaways: Michigan State starts fast, holds off Maryland's 2nd half surge for big win

The Spartans ended a two-game losing skid by defending home court against the Terrapins...

Michigan State jumped to a 15-0 lead in the opening minutes and overcame a 14-0 run by Maryland in the second half to hold on for a 63-58 win over the Terrapins at the Breslin Center.

It was an important victory for the Spartans, who had lost five of their previous seven games heading into this matchup. Here are five takeaways from the MSU victory:

1.) Spartans start fast

This team has been plagued by slow starts for most of the year, but Michigan State came out swinging in this one. The Spartans opened 6-of-7 from the field with both Tyson Walker and Joey Hauser scoring a quick five points each, while A.J. Hoggard knocked down a corner three and Mady Sissoko scored on a hook shot in the paint.

On the defensive end, Michigan State didn't allow a made basket until the 15:15 mark in the first half, as Maryland opened 0-for-5 from the field with a turnover. The fast start was a welcome sight.

2.) Scoring droughts still plague MSU

Michigan State doesn't have enough scorers. Tyson Walker is about the only Spartan capable of creating his own shot, and MSU has suffered from scoring droughts all season as a result.

The Spartans had a scoring drought of five and a half minutes in the first half, and they failed to capitalize on their 15-0 start to the game as a result. Then, in the second half, Michigan State had a drought which lasted more than three minutes, which allowed Maryland back into the game. The Terrapins went on a 14-0 run during the second half drought.

Unfortunately, this isn't the NBA, where teams can trade for another shooter or scorer before the trade deadline. This is Michigan State's roster, and the margin of error is slim for the Spartans offensively. A.J. Hoggard has to distribute the ball, Hauser has to shoot well on spot-ups or post isolations, and Walker has to score at all three levels (layups, mid-range and three-pointers).

It's a tough way to win games, as we've witnessed all season.

3.) Good ol' reliable defense

During Maryland's 14-0 run in the second half, the Terrapins shot 8-of-9 during that stretch. Other than those few minutes, Michigan State's defense was pretty darn good tonight.

The Spartans held Maryland to 39 percent from the field, and a ghastly 3-for-22 (14 percent) from three-point range. Michigan State forced just eight turnovers tonight, but they took advantage of those extra possessions, scoring 11 points of the Terrapins' giveaways.

With the ups-and-downs that the Spartans experience on offense, Michigan State once again had to rely on that old-fashioned, Tom Izzo-coached defense.

4.) Joey Hauser finds second wind

Izzo has lamented the fact he's had to play senior power forward Joey Hauser well over 30 minutes per night this season, but the Spartans haven't had much of a choice due to Malik Hall's injury troubles and MSU's lack of depth.

Over the seven games prior to tonight, Hauser averaged just 11.4 points per game. However, the senior seemed to find a second wind tonight, scoring 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range.

Hauser was once again tasked with carrying the load for Michigan State's frontcourt, as Malik Hall, Mady Sissoko and Jaxon Kohler combined for just 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting.

5.) A.J. Hoggard, Tyson Walker were good enough

Michigan State had lost five of seven games coming into tonight, Hoggard slipped back into some old, bad habits during the tough stretch for the Spartans. 

In those seven games, Hoggard averaged 3.9 assists and 2.7 turnovers per game, while shooting 41 percent from the floor and 30 percent from three-point range. Hoggard's shooting struggles continued tonight, as he finished with eight points on 2-of-6 shooting, but the point guard made a big impact in other areas with 10 rebounds, eight assists, a steal with two turnovers.

Meanwhile, Walker was really good again tonight. He finished with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 3-for-6 from deep. Walker added three assists and a steal with no turnovers.

Up Next

After running through the gauntlet in the Big Ten over their last nine games, Michigan State (15-9, 7-6) will play to two teams currently on the bottom of the conference standings next. First, the Spartans will travel to Ohio State (11-12, 3-9) on Sunday before returning to the Breslin Center next Wednesday (Feb. 15) to host last-place Minnesota (7-15, 1-11).

Michigan State will then travel to Ann Arbor on Feb. 18 for a rematch with in-state rival Michigan (13-10, 7-5). The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 59-53, in East Lansing back on Jan. 7.