Kansas City, Mo. ? Drew Neitzel drifted along the baseline, brushed through a pick by Marquise Gray and spotted up in the corner. The high-arching shot was never in doubt, barely rippling the net as it passed through.
After all but disappearing in the second half, Neitzel hit the shots when Michigan State needed it, and it still almost wasn’t enough.
Neitzel made a late 3-pointer and hit two free throws with 2.4 seconds left, helping No. 10 Michigan State survive Missouri’s relentless defensive pressure in an 86-83 victory Monday night in the semifinals of the CBE Classic.
“It’s a set play for us; we had run it before but ‘Quise didn’t set the pick,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “He (Neitzel) struggled at times and then he made some of the biggest plays of the game.”
Neitzel had little trouble getting where he wanted when he wanted in the first half, spotting up for 3-pointers, flicking in fadeways, whipping passes across the court and through the lane. The preseason All-American had 16 points at the break, but took just four shots in the second making just one – the biggest of the game.
“The second half they tried to deny me the ball, keep it out of my hands and let me get the ball in scoring position,” Neitzel said.
Michigan State (3-0) struggled all night with Missouri’s full-court pressure, twice losing double digits leads. The Spartans seemed to have the game all but won when Neitzel hit a 3-pointer with just over 2 minutes left, but the Tigers kept coming.
Stefhon Hannah hit three 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds, the last an off-balance heave with 3.5 seconds left that hit the rim and bounced in to cut Michigan State’s lead to 84-83. The Tigers fouled Neitzel immediately and the preseason All-American calmly sank both for the Spartans’ toughest victory of the season.
Oklahoma State 83, LSU 77
Lahaina, Hawaii – Terrel Harris scored a career-high 24 points, including the clinching free throws with 16 seconds to play, and Oklahoma State lost almost all of a 21-point lead before beating LSU in the opening round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
Baylor 62, Winthrop 54
Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands – Curtis Jerrells scored 13 points, including seven during a decisive 15-4 run in the second half, and Baylor beat Winthrop to win the Paradise Jam.
LaceDarius Dunn scored four of his 17 points during the late run, which put the Bears ahead 57-48 with 30 seconds left.
Taj McCullough led Winthrop (3-1) with 16 points and nine rebounds.
