PORTLAND — Joey Hauser had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 12 Michigan State hold off a strong challenge from Oregon for a 74-70 win in the consolation round of the Phil Knight Invitational Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Tyson Walker added 18 points and eight assists for the Spartans (4-2), while Pierre Brooks II had 15 points.
Will Richardson led the Ducks (2-4) with 28 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Kel’el Ware added 17 points and Rivaldo Soares had 10.
The Ducks got off to a fast start in the first half behind Ware, leading by as many as eight before the Spartans came back and regained the lead with two minutes left. Michigan State closed the half with a 14-3 run to take a 33-30 halftime lead.
The second half went about the same. Oregon opened the half with a 6-0 run to regain the lead and stayed within Michigan State until just over eight minutes remained when the Spartans went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead for good.
Michigan State moved the ball well all night with 20 assists on 27 possessions.
THE BIG PICTURE
Michigan State: The Spartans rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Alabama to salvage a win in the PKI Tournament.
Oregon: The Ducks bounced back nicely from Thursday’s loss to UConn and struggled much harder against another ranked team.
FURTHER
Michigan State will face Portland in the fifth-place consolation game on Sunday.
Oregon plays Villanova in the seventh-place consolation game on Sunday.
