COLUMBUS, Ohio (Michigan News Source) – For the 15th time under Tom Izzo, Michigan State is back in the Sweet 16. The Spartans upset no. 2 seed Marquette, 69-60, in the second round as three players scored in double figures.

Tyson Walker led the team with 23 points while Joey Houser added 14 points and 10 rebounds and A.J. Hoggard 13 points. It was Houser that stole the show, though, with one of his best games of his career taking on his former team.

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Izzo says, “It’s so fun to hear people chanting when people weren’t chanting a couple of years ago. I think he (Houser) deserved every bit of it.”

Houser was a big part late in the game that pushed MSU to the win. The Spartans were up by just two, 53-51, with 4:52 to go when Houser hit a three-pointer 30 seconds later pushing the lead to five. That shot led to a 13-4 MSU run as they pulled away for the win. He then hit two free throws with 28 seconds left for a 10-point lead, 68-58, as MSU went on for the nine-point win, 69-60.

The win was a big for Houser as he transferred to MSU in 2019 after playing at Marquette. He and teammate Mady Sissoko became the first MSU players to both have 10 rebounds in a NCAA Tournament game since Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser did in 1979.

With a 33-28 lead at the half, MSU held off Marquette’s hot three-pointe shooting. Marquette finished making 11 three-pointers but shot just 38 percent from the floor. MSU scored 19 points off Marquette’s turnovers also winning the rebounding battle, 36-31.

MSU will now face Kansas State, who upset Kentucky, on March 23.