Michigan State basketball shows composure, maturity in Rutgers win

Michigan State basketball went on the road in an incredibly hostile environment and flashed composure and maturity in a 78-67 win over Rutgers.

No win on the road in the Big Ten comes easy, let alone a contest in Piscataway against a resurgent Rutgers team coming off its biggest win of the year against Miami and playing in front of its first home sellout crowd since 1997. Michigan State, though, showcased toughness, grit and composure in a 78-67 victory.

The game was back-and-forth through the first 20 minutes as Michigan State held just a two-point lead, but protecting the ball was paramount as that’s where the Spartans showed the most maturity, turning the ball over just seven times.

Tom Izzo cut his bench considerably, even without Matt McQuaid, playing just four guys off the bench and two of them, Gabe Brown and Foster Loyer, played under 10 minutes.

Xavier Tillman had his second straight big game, scoring 11 points with eight rebounds as he continues to get his confidence back.

However, it was the Cassius Winston show on Friday night in Piscataway as the junior point guard led the way with 22 points and six assists with zero — yes, zero — turnovers. He looked like a completely changed player compared to Tuesday night’s version in a Louisville loss.

Nick Ward had a strong game, too, with 20 points and five rebounds and Josh Langford bounced back a bit, scoring 14 points with four rebounds.

Defense was where the game was won, though. The Spartans clamped down in the second half and didn’t allow any open looks, holding Rutgers to just 37 percent shooting from the floor and 31 percent from beyond the arc after a red-hot first half from deep.

Michigan State’s maturity and composure was impressive on Friday night and it showed that this could be a difference-maker in Big Ten play.