SPARTANS RALLY TO DOWN HUSKIES

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.

Michigan St. 64, No. 22 UConn 60

Tom Izzo’s Spartans advanced anyway with toughness and tenacity in the game’s critical moments for the second straight day.

A.J. Hoggard hit the goahead 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: jut make the winning plays,” said Malik Hall, who had a big late steal and two free throws. “It’s something he’s been talking about since yesterday and the day before that.”

At the least, Izzo will have another set of examples in making that point again.

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.

No. 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 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

No. 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, No. 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) in an opening-round game at the ESPN Events Invitational.

No. 19 Auburn 62, Loyola Chicago 53: Freshman Jabari Smith had 14 points to help Auburn (4-1) regroup from a double-overtime loss and beat Loyola Chicago (4-2) in the consolation round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.

West

Syracuse 92, Arizona State 84: Buddy Boeheim scored 17 of his 23 points before halftime to help Syracuse (3-2) build a huge lead and beat Arizona State (2-4) in the consolation round at the Battle 4 Atlantis.

UAB 86, New Mexico 73: Jordan Walker had a careerhigh 26 points as UAB (5-1) defeated New Mexico (4-2) in the Las Vegas Invitational.

Hawaii 88, Illinois-Chicago 80: Mate Colina scored 23 points as Hawaii (3-1) beat Illinois-Chicago (2-3) in the Las Vegas Classic.