INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Freshman Max Christie scored 16 points, Gabe Brown added 13 points and No. 7 seed Michigan State nearly blew a 20-point second-half lead before holding off No. 10 seed Maryland 76-72 in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament. Michigan State had a 20-point lead with 13:04 remaining after opening the second half on a 12-3 run. But the Spartans really struggled taking care of the ball late against Maryland’s full-court pressure. Michigan State turned it over 11 times in the second half — seven in the final 2:26. Maryland was led by Fatts Russell with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half, Xavier Johnson had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and No. 9 seed Indiana closed on a 31-9 run to rally past eighth-seeded Michigan 74-69 in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament. Michigan led by 17 points on an Eli Brooks basket with 12:52 remaining but the Wolverines would not make another field goal until the 1:42 mark. Jackson-Davis made two free throws with 5:39 remaining in the second half to give Indiana its first lead, 63-62, since it was 7-6 with 15:50 remaining before halftime. The free throws capped a 20-2 run. Indiana advances to play top-seeded Illinois in the quarterfinals on Friday. DeVante’ Jones scored 18 points for Michigan.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Juwan Howard was on his best behavior. Sure he worked the officials. And yes he spent most of Thursday’s game barking out instructions to Michigan’s players. But after serving a five-game, league-imposed suspension for taking a swing at Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft, the Wolverines coach remained calm during Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament opener, which Indiana rallied to win 74-69.
