CHICAGO — Big Ten Play Of The Year Cassius Winston has led the Michigan State Spartans back to the Big Ten Championship Game after a win over Wisconsin 67-55 Saturday in the Semifinal matchup.
In the first five minutes the Spartans got back to back threes from Kenny Goins on a 15-4 run. That spirt caused a Wisconsin timeout to stop the bleeding early. Into the first media timeout they shot 80 percent from the floor, Goins was 3 of 3 from long range with three rebounds.
Wisconsin went 0-6 from three and was out rebounded 15 to 5 into the under eight media timeout and they trailed 26-10.
The Badgers started to catch life as they went on an 8-2 run trying to cut into the Michigan State lead. Wisconsin executed on the defensive end causing 9 turnovers in the first half to cut the deficit to eight after a three from D’Mitrik Trice. Wisconsin shot 38 percent from the field in the first half and Michigan State shot 44 percent from the field and added 7 three pointers with the lead 35- 27 into the break.
Into the second half the Spartans had 4 crucial turnovers that turned into 8 points for Wisconsin. Michigan State led 47-40 at 10:12 left in the game, as Ethan Happ filled the stat sheet with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists to that point. With just over four minutes left in the game the Badgers had a possession where they had three offensive rebounds and did not come out with a basket. They shot 24 percent from the field and zero made threes to that point in the second half.
The Badgers tried to hang around as much as they could, but Michigan State would power through to take the win 67-55 over Wisconsin.
Cassius Winston led all scorers with 21 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds, also teammate Kenny Goins added a double- double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists for Michigan State.
Ethan Happ put up 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, Kobe King added 13 points for Wisconsin.
Michigan State will play in the Big Ten Championship game Sunday at 2:30pm CT.