Tre Holloman steps up, Michigan State basketball scores big OT win over No. 12 North Carolina

In the big moments this season, the Michigan State men’s basketball team is looking for someone to be the go-to guy. While there were notable performances from key players — double-doubles, 20-point nights — they weren’t as common in the big games of this young season.

It took Tre Holloman a single start at the Maui Invitational to show the crowd at the Lahaina Civic Center that he could be the guy. Holloman led Michigan State (6-2) to a third-place finish in the tournament held in Maui, Hawaii, and scored a career-high 19 points on the night to a precarious 94-91 overtime victory over No. 12 North Carolina (Fourth). :3) at. Most importantly for the Spartans, he showed he could make a difference.

BOX SCORE: Michigan State 94, North Carolina 91 (OT)

Make no mistake, Holloman was important for Michigan State in all eight games of the season. After all, he is a co-captain, and MSU coach Tom Izzo has turned to Holloman in difficult moments. When Jeremy Fears Jr. shows his inexperience? Deploy Holloman. What if the Spartans can’t settle in? Deploy Holloman. And on Wednesday in Maui, do you want a different look than the starting lineup? Holloman, you’re there.

And Holloman seized the opportunity. He had a remarkable first half, hitting all five shots, including three from long range, for a total of 13 points. He even made a three-pointer at the end of the first half, but it didn’t count for review due to a shot clock violation. This call would prove important until the end of regulation.

Much of that offense came in the halfcourt, where the Spartans haven’t been as flawless this season. With North Carolina lined up in structure, Holloman still made hard hits from outside to carry out the offense. He was a good shooter, a player his teammates turned to when they needed someone to take a shot. And Holloman met everyone he took.

Michigan State also got some goals from the former starter who Holloman replaced. Striker Frankie Fidler scored seven points in nine minutes after coming on and seemed more comfortable in that role. Holloman’s performance and Fidler’s contributions, along with strong work from forward Coen Carr on the fast break, helped Michigan State take a 43-34 halftime lead.

But Holloman and the entire Spartans cooled off early in the second half. Two consecutive fouls in five minutes sent him to the bench, and North Carolina attacked in transition during that span, taking its first lead with 6:35 left in the first half.

Nine seconds later, Fears drew a foul and North Carolina coach Hubert Davis picked up a technical foul for disputing the call. The Spartans regained the lead and Holloman took the field again. His leadership qualities were evident as he went back on defense and fought his way through the screens. And even if he missed all three shots of the half – this time no one would lose sight of him – Holloman kept the ball and provided his teammates with an easy transition offensive with three assists in the second half. Holloman scored the same goal as in the first half and showed his proven leadership in the second half.

At this point, the Spartans saw further positive development from forward Xavier Booker, who put together a dominant performance that allowed him to score six straight points, grab an offensive rebound and attack the paint with an aggressiveness that was evident in his game rarely happened. While two fouls sent him to the bench, it was the type of play Michigan State wanted from Booker, who lost his starting job earlier this season.

While North Carolina tried to tie the score in the second half with guard Elliott Cadeau scoring 11 of his 15 points, the Spartans maintained a lead on multiple possessions most of the time. Guard Jaden Akins scored 10 points in the second half while finding some difficult shots.

But in the final minute, North Carolina got within a single point after a bad turnover by Fears. And as the pressure mounted, the Spartans kept turning to Holloman. Akins attempted a layup and turned the ball over in one shot, giving North Carolina a chance to take the lead. Instead, Cadeau missed an open layup. Holloman recovered the ball and hit two free throws to take a three-point lead, which guard Seth Trimble erased with a game-winning three. As Holloman brought the ball up the field again with a chance to win the game, Fears hit him, forcing overtime.

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Tre Holloman steps up, Michigan State basketball scores big OT win over No. 12 North Carolina

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