03/27/26 11:32:00
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03/27 23:31 CDT It's UConn vs. Duke for a Final Four spot after the Huskies
edge Michigan State 67-63
It's UConn vs. Duke for a Final Four spot after the Huskies edge Michigan State
67-63
By NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) --- Tarris Reed Jr. scored 20 points, Alex Karaban added 17,
and both made pressure-packed free throws in the final minute that helped
second-seeded UConn hold off third-seeded Michigan State 67-63 in the Sweet 16
on Friday night.
The Huskies (32-5) led 63-62 when Karaban was fouled with 22.5 seconds
remaining. He made both ends of a one-and-one to give UConn a three-point lead,
and after Michigan State was unable to find a quick shot, Kur Teng's 3-pointer
missed.
A foul was called on the Huskies on the rebound with 4.6 seconds remaining.
Carson Cooper made the first for Michigan State. He missed the second --- it
did not appear to be intentional --- and Reed rebounded. His two free throws
effectively sealed the win.
UConn advances to a true heavyweight clash in Sunday's final of the NCAA
Tournament's East Region against top-seeded Duke.
Michigan State (27-8) overcame an early 19-point deficit but bowed out on a
night the Spartans shot just 4 of 16 from 3-point range.
The four teams that arrived in Washington this week have combined for 13
national titles, so it was no surprise that both games Friday were pulsating.
Duke's 80-75 win over St. John's in the opener came down to the last few
seconds.
It looked at first like the second game wouldn't. Malachi Smith, Solo Ball and
Jaylin Stewart combined for four 3-pointers during a 15-1 run that put UConn up
25-6. The Spartans had to clamp down defensively over the final three minutes
just to trail 35-27 at halftime.
Michigan State scored the first seven points of the second, but the Huskies
pushed back. After a steal and dunk by Reed put UConn back up by six, Huskies
coach Dan Hurley began waving his arms wildly at the fans behind his bench,
exhorting them to be louder.
The Spartans didn't waver. A three-point play by Jaxon Kohler with 10:06 to
play put Michigan State up 45-44.
A short scoring draught by the Spartans allowed UConn to take a 56-49 on a
driving layup by Ball, but it stayed tight until the end. The Huskies led 58-57
when Karaban made a 3. Jeremy Fears Jr. answered from beyond the arc for
Michigan State to cut the lead to one.
Reed made two free throws with 44.8 seconds to play, and Fears made two with
32.3 remaining.
Up next
Michigan State: Cooper and Kohler are both seniors, but coach Tom Izzo is
showing little sign of slowing down at this stage of his career.
UConn: The Huskies' matchup with Duke might feel more like a Final Four game.
In fact, they met in the 1999 title game, with UConn winning.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and
coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
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