Michigan State University grinds out victory over Florida Gators

#1 Spartans defeats the Gators 58-52

    Additional Reporting by
    icon Dec 13, 2015
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The Michigan State Spartans played a tough game in it's first contest since being elevated to number 1 in the College polls against the Florida Gators.   On a day when Michigan State University would honor some Championship teams they would have their hands full with a 6-2 Florida team.    The 2000 NCAA National Championship Basketball team was honored at halftime of the game.   Almost the entire team was present to share in the feel good moment celebrating the team from 15 years ago.   Also on what seemed liked Championship Day they also honored current 2015 Big Ten Championship Football team during a t.v. timeout.   Head Coach Mark Dantonio would bring out his Seniors along with the Championship trophy to get a round of applause from the sell out crowd of 14, 797 fans at the Breslin.  

Back to the #1 ranked team in the country who played a spirited Florida squad that would love nothing better to upset the top team in the country.   The Spartans would start out strong with Bay City Western's Matt Costello leading the way with 2 blocked shots and 2 rebounds in the first 2 minutes of the game.   The Spartans would jump out to big early lead and then would hang on to a 27-25 half time lead.    The game would see saw back and forth until the final three minutes of the game when the Spartans would build up a 6 point lead to hang on for a 58-52 win over a good Florida team.    Denzel Valentine on a poor shooting day would still lead the Spartans with 17 points.   Bryn Forbes would be the only other player in double figures with 12 points and share the lead in rebounds with 6 boards.    Marvin Clark and Matt Costello also would pull down 6 rebounds each.  

With the victory the Spartans move to 11-0 and will not again play at home until January 7, 2016 against the University of Illinois.   Their next four games will be on the road with two non-conference games and the first two Big Ten contests on the road at Iowa and Minnesota.    They face an interesting match-up with the Oakland University Grizzlies on December 22.    The Michigan State squad has some lofty goals this season with their sights on a Big Ten Championship and a long run in the NCAA Tournament.

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