Michigan State basketball barely pulls out huge 80-78 win over Illinois to stay atop B1G

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EAST LANSING — Tre Holloman scored 17 points and Jaden Akins made a tough lefty layup to give Michigan State basketball its 11th straight win Sunday to stay unbeaten in the Big Ten, holding off No. 20 Illinois in a wild ending, 80-78, at Breslin Center.

MSU has not lost since Nov. 26, a defeat to Memphis in Maui.

The Spartans (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) led by seven with 3:53 to play, but the tension rose when the Illini (13-5, 5-3) cut it to 76-75. That’s when Akins drove left and made a tough hanging layup with 1:14 left.

Michigan State’s Tre Holloman, right, scores as Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis defends during the first half on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The Illini scored a layup and forced an Akins miss, but MSU forced a turnover with 5.9 seconds left on the ensuing possession. Holloman sunk both free throws to go ahead 80-77, then MSU fouled before the Illini could attempt a tying 3 with 5.4 seconds left.

Illinois made the first free throw, missed the second on purpose, yet got the offensive rebound but was called for an over-the-backboard violation on the put-back attempt with a player falling out of bounds.

MSU next plays Saturday at Rutgers (10-8, 3-4).

More: What makes Tom Izzo special for Michigan State? He’ll tell you ‘straight up’

This breaking news story will be updated shortly.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball barely pulls out huge 80-78 win vs Illinois

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-basketball-barely-pulls-192547396.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-01-19 19:25:00

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