Hoggard’s free throws lift Michigan State over UConn
PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS » Michigan State followed a thrilling last-second win by blowing a big lead against a worn-down opponent and finding itself trailing late in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Tom Izzo’s Spartans advanced anyway with toughness and tenacity in the game’s critical moments for the second straight day.
Archbishop Carroll All-Delco A.J. Hoggard hit the go-ahead free throws with 30.3 seconds left and Michigan State scored the final nine points to push past No. 22 Connecticut 64-60 in Thursday’s semifinals, earning a trip to Friday’s championship game.
“It’s something Coach has harped on us from the very beginning: just make the winning plays,” said Malik Hall, who had a big late steal and two free throws.
The Spartans (5-1) held the Huskies to 1-for-9 shooting in the final 3 minutes. The final stop came with the Huskies (5-1) getting a chance to tie. But after a long stretch of dribbling, Jalen Gaffney fired up a tough straightaway 3 that fell short of everything.
(6) BAYLOR 69, VCU 61 » Matthew Mayer scored 15 points to help Baylor (6-0) hold off VCU (3-3) in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals.
IONA 72, (10) ALABAMA » Nelly Joseph and Walter Clayton Jr. made key free throws in the final seconds to lift Iona (6-0) over Alabama (4-1) at the ESPN Events Invitational. (4) KANSAS 71, NORTH TEXAS 59 » Ochai Agbaji had 18 points and Christian Braun added 16 as Kansas (4-0) beat North Texas (2-2) in the first round of the ESPN Events Invitational.
(19) AUBURN 62, LOYOLA CHICAGO 53 » Freshman Jabari Smith had 14 points to help Auburn regroup (4-1) from a double-overtime loss and beat Loyola Chicago (4-2) in the consolation round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
DAYTON 76, MIAMI 60 » Freshman Daron Holmes II scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half, Elijah Weaver scored all 14 of his points in the second half and Dayton (2-3) beat Miami (3-2) at the ESPN Events Invitational. Bonner-Prendergast All-Delco Isaiah Wong was the lone Hurricane in double figures with 10 points.