Oregon Ducks at Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State topples No. 3 Oregon 88-82

It just wouldn't be easy.

"All we had to do was be better than them for two hours," Merchant said. "That's what we just kept talking about. For two hours, our stats have to be just a little bit better."

Sabrina Ionescu scored 29 points for Oregon and Erin Boley added 24, but the Ducks (7-1) didn't start defending well until the final quarter, and Michigan State made enough shots late to pull out the win.

"They made a layup, they shot a wide open 3, or we fouled them. That was basically the whole game," Oregon coach Kelly Graves said. "We just kind of went through the motions defensively. We're not a very good defensive team anyway, and when you play with that kind of effort, that's what's going to happen."

Oregon trailed by 11 early in the fourth but rallied to tie it at 75. It was 77-all when Sidney Cooks put Michigan State (8-1) back ahead with a shot from around the top of the key.

Shortly after that, Taryn McCutcheon connected from beyond the arc to push the lead to five. McCutcheon shot just 4 of 14 from the field but finished with 14 crucial points.

The Ducks scored the game's first nine points, causing Michigan State to take an early timeout. It was 16-4 at one point, but the Spartans closed to within three by the end of the quarter.

Michigan State took a 39-37 lead when Allen made a 3-pointer while being fouled with 2:44 left in the half. The Spartans closed the second quarter on a 17-2 run and led 46-39 at halftime. Michigan State led 69-60 after three.

BIG PICTURE

QUIET GAME

Oregon's Ruthy Hebard came in averaging 17 points a game and shooting 71 percent from the field, but the Spartans limited her to 10 points.

"She's got to want the ball," Graves said. "That's the bottom line."

READY

Allen has made 10 3-pointers this season after making only 21 through her first three seasons with the Spartans. She said she was expecting to get the ball on that crucial late possession.

"I worked on my 3-point shot all summer, and seniors step up," she said.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Oregon had its highest ranking in program history, but the Ducks figure to fall after losing to the unranked Spartans. It's just a question of how far.

"We hadn't earned the ranking," Graves said. "I think everybody assumes because of what we've done in the past, that it's just naturally going to happen, and we haven't played hungry. We didn't play hungry. They played hungrier tonight."

Michigan State got only three votes in the most recent Top 25, but it may be time for voters to give the Spartans more of a look.

UP NEXT

Oregon: The Ducks have another road game Wednesday against South Dakota State.

Michigan State: The Spartans play at Hartford next Sunday.

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Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister

How can I watch Ducks vs. Spartans?

• TV Channel: Ducks vs Spartans 2021 College Basketball, week 5, is broadcasted on ESPN2.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: East Lansing, MI
Attendance: 6,462 | Capacity: