West Regional 3rd Round: (1) Michigan State 65 – (9) St. Louis 61

COLUMBUS, OH – Draymond Green finished four assists shy of a second consecutive triple-double, in leading top-seed Michigan State to a hard-fought, 65-61 victory over St. Louis.

Both teams found their offensive rhythms in the second half after an opening 20 minutes which only produced a 26-21 Michigan State advantage.  After trailing by as many as 11 in the second half, the Billikens cut the deficit to as few as three, but the Spartans held on down the stretch.

After joining Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson on Friday night as the only players to ever produce two triple-doubles in the NCAA Tournament, Green turned in another outstanding all-around performance.  The Big Ten Player of the Year had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.  Teammate Keith Appling led all scorers with 19, while Kwamain Mitchell led St. Louis with 13.  Michigan State will meet 4th-seeded Louisville in the Sweet 16.

Wayne Larrivee and John Thompson called the action on the Westwood One Radio Network.

(Payne with a thunderous throwdown to put the Spartans on top)

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(Remekun with a two-hand jam as the Billikens cut into the deficit)

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(Green with the hot hand as Michigan State goes back up by seven)

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(Appling absorbs the contact and puts home a nifty shot off the glass)

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(Mitchell buries a three as St. Louis stays within striking distance)

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(Appling knocks down the shot of the game, as MSU holds off the Billikens)

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(Wayne Larrivee and John Thompson wrap up all the action from Columbus)

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