Field Level Media
Mar 8, 2020
Senior guard Cassius Winston scored 27 points in his farewell at Breslin Events Center when No. 16 Michigan State earned a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with an 80-69 victory over No. 19 Ohio State in East Lansing, Mich., on Sunday.
The Spartans (22-9, 14-6 Big Ten) finished tied with Wisconsin and Maryland. The Badgers earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament by having the best record among games involving the three teams. Michigan State will be the second seed.
Winston made 10 of 14 field goals overall, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range, grabbed four rebounds and had six assists before being subbed out with 23.8 seconds to play.
Ohio State (21-10, 11-9) had a four-game winning streak end and will be a seventh seed in the Big Ten tournament after No. 18 Iowa fell to No. 23 Illinois Sunday.
Duane Washington Jr. had 16 points, CJ Walker 14 and E.J. Liddell 12 for the Buckeyes.
Rocket Watts had 19 points, Xavier Tillman posted 15 points and nine rebounds, and Aaron Henry 12 for Michigan State, which has won five straight games.
The Spartans have won at least a share of three straight regular-season titles.
Michigan State shot 53.8 percent (14-for-26) from the floor in the second half.
The Buckeyes overcame a 38-32 halftime deficit to make it 44-44 with 15 minutes left before Winston took over.
Winston's five straight points made it 49-44 and the Buckeyes never regained the lead. After Washington made a pair of free throws, Henry made consecutive shots for a 53-46 lead.
Liddell made a 3-pointer, but Winston immediately responded with his own to make it 56-49. Luther Muhammad scored for the Buckeyes, but Watts was fouled while hitting a triple. He made the foul shot to complete the four-point play and a 60-51 lead.
Ohio State played its fourth straight game without inside presence Kyle Young because of an ankle sprain.
-- Field Level Media