March Madness 2022: Michigan State survives, edges Davidson 74-73 in NCAAs

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Michigan State was tough enough to take back the lead in a critical moment, then fortunate enough to withstand Davidson's desperate final charge.

"I thought it was a little bit of a roller-coaster," Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The Spartans survived regardless, getting a career-high 27 points from Joey Hauser to edge the Wildcats 74-73 on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament's first round. The win sets up one more marquee postseason matchup with Duke and retiring Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski.

Michigan State forward Gabe Brown celebrates after scoring against Davidson during the second half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Greenville, S.C.  (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Seeded seventh in the West Region, Michigan State (23-12) had to wrestle away control of a tight game against the Wildcats in the second half. The Spartans used a 16-3 run to go ahead for good while allowing just one field goal over a critical 6-minute stretch, pushing the Spartans to their largest lead at 67-59 with a minute left and seemingly putting the game away.

Only the 10th-seeded Wildcats (27-7) took the fight to the final minute, though, even while getting tripped up by several quick — and sometimes borderline — whistles down the stretch.

Luka Brajkovic scored 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting to lead Davidson. Sam Mennenga added 15 points as the Wildcats shot 48% and made 10 of 25 3-pointers — but just couldn’t quite catch the Spartans.

"We were in the center ring the whole night," longtime Davidson coach Bob McKillop said. "We were not on the ropes.