Indiana falters in second half of 78-71 loss to Michigan State

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Aaron Henry scored 16 of his career-high-tying 27 points in the second half, and Michigan State rallied to beat Indiana 78-71 on Saturday.

Though the Spartans (11-9, 5-9 Big Ten) may miss taking part in the NCAA Tournament after 22 straight appearances, they picked up their first win at Indiana since February 3, 2018 and dealt a blow to the Hoosiers (12-10, 7-8), who are seeking to get back to the tournament — to be held in its entirety in Indiana — for the first time since 2016.

A Henry basket and a Gabe Brown 3-pointer completed a 13-2 run during which the Spartans grabbed their first lead with about eight minutes left. They expanded it to 12 after a 10-2 run capped by Brown’s 3-pointer. A straightaway 3-pointer by Armaan Franklin with 37 seconds remaining cut the lead to 75-71, but Indiana missed three final attempts from behind the arc.

Brown and Joshua Langford scored 14 points each, combining for 21 in the second half when the Spartans scored 52 points on 57% shooting and made 13 of 15 free throws after shooting 33% percent and getting no trips to the line in the first half when they trailed 30-26. The Spartans gave up 11 points off 10 turnovers in the first half but committed only three more after that.

Trayce Jackson-Davis finished with a career-high 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Race Thompson added 15 points and Franklin 13.

Indiana jumped out to a 16-4 lead behind 10 points from Jackson-Davis. The Spartans didn’t reach double figures until there were 8 1/2 minutes left in the half and eventually tied Indiana after an 8-0 run. Jackson-Davis finished the half with a dunk off a lob from Franklin for a four-point lead.

Next, Michigan State is host to No. 5 Illinois on Tuesday, while Indiana is at Rutgers on Wednesday.