(2) Michigan State 74, (10) USC 69
No. 2 Michigan State’s defense shut down No. 10 USC in the closing minutes to eek out a 74-69 win. The Trojans went scoreless in the final three minutes as the Spartans inched ahead at the free throw line. Senior guard Travis Walton hit two jumpers within a minute to keep Michigan State a step ahead of USC. Walton, an unlikely hero for the Spartans after averaging 4.9 points per game on the season, led Michigan State with 18 points. Freshman swingman DeMar DeRozan had 18 points and five rebounds for the Trojans, concluding a sensational run through the Pac-10 Conference Tournament and against No. 7 Boston College in the first round.
