EAST LANSING- Michigan State traveled a rocky road to earning its 15th win of the season, defeating Maryland 63-58 late Tuesday night. The back-and-forth matchup between the two teams was highlighted by elite guard play and multiple runs. 

“To hell with starts,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “There is only one thing that matters: that you finish the game, period.”

Graduate student Joey Hauser would get Michigan State started with a mid-range jumper just seconds into the game. Hauser would continue to accumulate points, ending with a game-high 20 after having just 24 total points in his last three games. 

“[In] the past couple of games I feel like I shied away a little bit from some shots,” Hauser said. “I just have to have a shooter’s mentality, and the next one is going in.”

After trailing by 15 points in the first four minutes the Terrapins would only allow 16 more in the first half. 

Maryland guard Jahmir Young had nine of the 22 points scored in the first half for the Terrapins and finished with a team-high 17. 

Michigan State would hold their lead for the beginning of the second half, but it quickly vanished as the Terrapins went on a 12-0 run in under three minutes, tying the game at 38.

A pair of free throws from Maryland forward Patrick Emilien would give the Terps their first lead of the game, but it would not last long. 

Sophomore Jaden Akins would spark another Spartan run with a corner three followed up with a block on the other end of the floor. The block turned into transition points for the Spartans, as junior A.J. Hoggard found senior Tyson Walker open for another three. Pushing Michigan State back out in front 52-48

A.J. Hoggard’s name was all over the stat sheet by the end of the night. Finishing the game with game-highs in rebounds (10) and assists (8) to go along with his eight points.

“I think we are a better team when A.J. has eight assists and two turnovers, then when he has 15 points,” head coach Tom Izzo said after the game. “A.J. played like a point guard. Our guys got shots, but they hit their shots because they were great passes.”

One of those guys who was hitting shots for the Spartans was Guard Tyson Walker. After getting into early foul trouble, Walker only saw nine minutes in the first half. 

Walker would end the night with 17 points, making it his 19th game in double figures and the 65th of his career

“I didn’t really get to play in the first half because of fouls,” Walker said. “So I really wanted to come out and be aggressive in the second half… it was just one of those days everyone made their shots.”

Maryland would continue to keep it close, but a Jaden Akins dunk would seal the deal for Michigan State. 

The Spartans will travel to Columbus Sunday to take on Ohio State. The Matchup against the Buckeyes is set to tip off at 1 p.m.