The Memphis Tigers were destroyed by the Michigan St. Spartans 70-48. With their win, they became the second team to advance to the Sweet 16. With a solid offensive game from Gary Harris, and a terrible shooting game by Memphis, Michigan St. was able to cruise to victory in this one.
Michigan St.'s guard, Harris, finished the game with 23 points after going 4-7 from three and 7-8 from the free throw line. Forward, Adreian Payne had a double-double scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds in this matchup. He was also a force under the basket as he finished with five of the Spartan's seven blocks.
Michigan St. led early on in this game. They took over the lead at the 14:48 minute mark and never relinquished it again in this game. Up 6-4, the didn't let Memphis get back despite close calls before the conclusion of the first half and beginning of the second.
In fact, Memphis didn't let themselves get back into the game as they finished this matchup shooting a miserable 30 percent from the floor. The Tigers forced turnovers, but they couldn't convert them into points. Worse of all, the Spartans shot 50 percent from the floor and crushed Memphis on the boards 41-25.
At the half, Memphis made a brief running cutting a once 11-point lead with six minutes remaining in the game down to just three points. However, as Michigan St. kept the ball moving, they had an 11-point lead once again at the 12:48 minute mark. A Payne dunk forced Memphis to take a timeout, but they never recovered.
Michigan St. built on their lead throwout the game and never let the Tigers in the game.
Now, they await a winner between Creighton and Duke as the Spartans are in the Sweet 16.
