Michigan State tops Indiana in first home game since shootings

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State coachTom Izzo gazed into the crowd, tears welling in his eyes, momentsbefore his team played its first home game since a mass shooting oncampus killed three students and hospitalized five students.

“It was one of those moments where I just said, `I’m a luckyguy,‘” Izzo recalled as his voice cracked with emotion. “I said tomyself, `I hope we can come through for you.’”

The Spartans did.

Tyson Walker shook off a slow start to score 23 points andlifted Michigan State to an 80-65 win over No. 17 Indiana onTuesday night, eight days after a mass shooting ended lives,endangered others and frightened an entire community.

“It was definitely a emotional,” Walker said. “Everybody wasinvolved in some way because everybody’s on campus. So, it wasdefinitely good to go out there and play well for everybody.”

The Spartans (17-10, 9-7 Big Ten) surged into the lead late inthe first half after Walker started making 3-pointers following an0-for-4 start from the field and were ahead by double digits formuch of the second half.

“Izzo’s teams play great. They play hard,” Indiana coach MikeWoodson said. “They force you to play hard. If you don’t meet that,you’re going to lose.”

The Hoosiers (19-9, 10-7) relied heavily on TrayceJackson-Davis, as usual, and he had 19 points, seven rebounds andfive assists.

Michigan State had its previous home game against Minnesotapostponed after the shootings and resumed playing Saturday night ina loss to rival Michigan on the road.

The victims, survivors and first responders from last week’sshootings were recognized with pregame remarks. There was also amoment of silence that was broken by the Michigan State bandplaying “MSU Shadows,” when Izzo looked left, right, high and lowat fans in the stands.

“I wish I could have ran up to that top row and thank the peoplethat were there,” Izzo said.

In the front row of the student section, white shirts wereplaced on eight seats to save them for the eight students shot oncampus. The funeral for the last of the three students killed wasearlier Tuesday.

The Spartans, after the emotional pregame, got off to a sluggishstart before turning the game around with 3-pointers, defense andrebounding.

Michigan State’s A.J. Hoggard had three turnovers early in thegame, then didn’t have another turnover and finished with 22 pointsand five assists. Joey Hauser and Malik Hall each scored 10 pointsfor the Spartans, who have won three of their last four games.

Jalen Hood-Schifino scored 16 and Trey Galloway had 11 pointsfor the Hoosiers.

BIG PICTURE

Indiana: The Hoosiers, who have lost two of their last threegames, may have some work to do to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

Michigan State: After collapsing late against Michigan andreturning to play at home on an emotional campus, Izzo’s teamearned a much-needed win.

HE SAID IT

“As the game wore on, they smashed us and I don’t like that,”Woodson said.

IN THE FACE

Midway through the second half, Michigan State’s Mady Sissokoblocked Malik Reneau’s shot and the ball hit Kaleb Banks in thehead so hard that he staggered and fell to the court.

BRIDGES SAYS

Former Michigan State star Miles Bridges sat behind the team’sbench and said he may be back in the NBA soon, returning to playfor the Charlotte Hornets.

“It’s been a long process,” Bridges told The Associated Press athalftime. “I might be back in March.”

Bridges has not played this season while under an NBAinvestigation. He pleaded no contest three months ago to a felonycount of injuring a child’s parent, agreeing to do so in exchangefor three years probation and no jail time.

INJURY REPORT

Michigan State’s Carson Cooper missed the game after Izzo saidthe freshman center sprained his ankle during practice on Monday.Indiana senior guard Xavier Johnson is still out with a footinjury.

UP NEXT

Indiana: Plays rival and fifth-ranked Purdue on the roadSaturday night.

Michigan State: Travels to play Iowa on Saturday.