Korie Lucious hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a frantic finish and give injury-depleted Michigan State an 85-83 victory over Maryland on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
After star guard Kalin Lucas went down with a leg injury, the Spartans blew a 15-point lead in the second half. Greivis Vasquez’s basket put fourth-seeded Maryland ahead 83-82 with 6 seconds left, but Michigan State inbounded immediately and pushed up the floor.
The ball went to Lucious at the top of the key and he drained a 3 just in time, setting off a wild celebration as jubilant Spartans players streamed off the bench.
No. 5 seed Michigan State advanced to play ninth-seeded Northern Iowa in the Midwest Regional semifinals in St. Louis. The Panthers pulled off the most stunning upset of the tournament Saturday, beating top-seeded Kansas 69-67.
