Oklahoma State 64, No. 9 Michigan State 61

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)—Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton knew his team was well prepared for No. 9 Michigan State. After all, he had expected to play the Spartans in the championship game of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Instead, the Cowboys came from behind to upset Michigan State in the third-place game, getting six free throws from Victor Williams in the final two minutes for a 64-61 victory.

“We really did play well the last six or seven minutes,” Sutton said, crediting his staff with paying careful attention to the scouting report on the Spartans.

Michigan State was ahead most of the second half, once by as many as nine points, and still led 61-60 with 1:43 remaining.

Then Williams hit two free throws to put Oklahoma State ahead, and the Cowboys’ Tony Allen blocked a shot by Alan Anderson with 10 seconds remaining.

Williams hit two more free throws and Rashi Johnson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied it for the Spartans (2-2), who lost for the second consecutive night.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said his team’s defense isn’t up to its usual standards, and he’s taking the blame. He also said the Spartans are getting poor guard play.

“Nineteen turnovers—it’s getting to be a joke,” Izzo said. “Not containing the dribble penetration, it’s getting ridiculous.”

Melvin Sanders led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 18 points. Ivan McFarlin scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds before fouling out with 6:21 remaining.

Williams added 14 points and Andre Williams grabbed 11 rebounds as the Cowboys fought Michigan State to a tie on the backboards one night after losing to College of Charleston.

Aloysius Anagonye scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Michigan State, which lost 81-73 to Villanova on Friday night. Chris Hill had 16 points and freshman Paul Davis came off the bench to score 12.

Michigan State raced to a 12-3 lead and was ahead the entire first half until Sanders hit two free throws to put Oklahoma State up 31-30 with 2:18 left. Two free throws and baskets by Adam Ballinger and Johnson gave the Spartans a 36-31 halftime lead.

Anagonye’s basket with 10:48 remaining in the second half gave Michigan State its biggest lead, 52-43.

But the Cowboys chipped away behind Sanders and Allen. When Victor Williams hit two of three free throws with 1:59 remaining, Oklahoma State took its first lead of the second half, 60-59.

A basket by Anagonye with 1:43 left gave the Spartans their last lead, 61-60, and they did not score again.