Hauser Gets The Spartan Crowd Going On Both Ends!

3.17.23

Saint Patrick's Day and First Round March Madness Basketball from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio

Michigan State Spartans Graudate Forward, Joey Hauser explodes in Columbus to get Nationwide Arena’s Pro-Spartan Crowd involved early and often. The Spartans found themselves in a boxing match early in this one versus the Trojans. Both teams took and threw shots throughout the half including a multitude of scoreless streaks throughout the half. USC heading into halftime was the better offensive team on paper, but found themselves tied with the Spartans at 34.

The second half started out ice cold for both teams, with sloppy play, poor shooting, and several video replay reviews. The Spartans were able to weather the storm with the support of the crowd and the play of Joey Hauser. While Hauser didn’t record any defensive stats on the day, his presence was felt on both ends. Hauser got it done on the glass and in the score column, ending the day with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist.

While Huaser was a steady force for the Spartans all game, the game was broken open by Carson Cooper and Malik Hall. Carson Cooper came up with back-to-back slams, a back scratcher off the pick and roll then a putback slam in transition! Putting his Spartans up 9 with 13:43 remaining in the second half. Malik Hall took a Joshua Morgan crosscourt pass 80 feet for a wide-open layup to put the Spartans up 9 once again with 7:19 remaining in the second.

Although the Trojans didn’t go away quietly as their full-court press gave the Michigan State Spartans trouble until the final whistle, the nail in the coffin for the Trojans was their ice-cold shooting in the second half. The Trojans shot just 34% from the field while shooting 30% from three compared to 41% and 35% in the first. The Trojans’ second-half numbers were ice cold, until an effort from Kobe Johnson boosted them, but proved to be too little too late.

Joey Hauser guides the Spartans to the Round of 32 in Columbus on Sunday, where they will face the winner of (2) Marquette vs (15) Vermont.