Michigan State basketball escapes opening round with win over Bradley

It wasn’t pretty, but Michigan State basketball got the job done with a big win over Bradley, pulling away late in the second half.

Feeling the pressure yet? Michigan State sure did in the first round as Bradley was giving it all it could handle, taking the Spartans down to the wire before the game was ultimately capped off with a free throw contest.

Michigan State overcame a hot-shooting first half from the Braves where they went 6-for-9 from 3-point range.

Things looked grim to start the second half as the Braves raced out to a five-point lead following a monster jam and momentum was on Bradley’s side.

That was quickly shut down by a 10-0 run by the Spartans who then traded baskets with Bradley down the stretch and it looked to be headed for another Middle Tennessee-type of ending. Critical stops down the stretch and impressive free throw shooting was the difference as the Spartans went up 65-57 and then didn’t look back.

Tom Izzo was visibly upset during the second half when the lead was fumbled away on multiple occasions — Aaron Henry had a bad game — but was relieved as the final buzzer sounded.

Once again, when the game was on the line, Cassius Winston put the team on his back and scored 26 points.

Undoubtedly, Matt McQuaid hit the biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer with a few minutes left to extend the Spartans’ lead for good.

If this wasn’t a wakeup call for the Spartans heading into a second-round matchup with Minnesota, I don’t know what would be.

The Spartans will play again on Saturday night against the Golden Gophers.