Michigan State scrapped its way to the Elite Eight with a 73-70 win over Ole Miss on Friday night.
Jaden Akins’ runner in the lane with 1:27 to go gave the No. 2 Spartans a two-point advantage as the two teams traded the lead multiple times over the final eight minutes.
After No. 6 Ole Miss missed two chances to tie the game, Michigan State’s Carson Cooper hit a layup with 40 seconds remaining. The Rebels quickly cut the lead back to two, but were forced to foul to extend the game. Akins drained both his free throws with 27 seconds to go.