CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Michigan News Source) – Leading early in the first half, Michigan State University couldn’t hold off top seeded North Carolina in the second of the NCAA Tournament second round as their season ended, 85-69. MSU finishes off their season at 20-15.

Tyson Walker led the Spartans with 24 points as Malik Hall gave 17 points and Jaden Akins 11 points.

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MSU had a 12-point lead, 26-14, at the 9:37 mark in the first half on a Walker three-pointer. After an early 4-4 tie, MSU went on a 9-1 run for an eight-point lead, 13-5, at 14:02. A.J. Hoggard made it a 10-point game, 17-7, on a three-pointer at 12:50 before their largest lead of 12 at 9:37.

In the next seven minutes, UNC’s defense kicked in allowing just three MSU points on a 23-3 run for an eight-point lead, 37-29, with 2:02 left. UNC then hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left for a nine-point lead at the half, 40-31.

The Spartans cut the lead to four, 46-41, in the first three minutes of the second half on an Akins three-pointer. Under a minute later, Akins hit an and-one to pull within two, 48-46, at 15:58. MSU stayed within single digits and were down four, 57-53, at the 10:38 mark. A 12-4 run over four minutes put UNC’s lead at 12, 69-57, as they kept their double-digit lead the rest of the way.

MSU is now 17-8 in the round of 32 games since 1985 and 15-4 under Tom Izzo.