March 22, 2008
Neitzel, Lucas lift Michigan State over Pitt
DENVER (Ticker) -- In a matchup of two of the nation's most physical teams, Michigan State's two smallest players made the difference.
Drew Neitzel scored 21 points and freshman guard Kalin Lucas added 19 to power the fifth-seeded Spartans to a 65-54 victory over No. 4 Pittsburgh on Saturday night in a second-round South Regional matchup.
Playing in its 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament, Michigan State (26-8) snapped the Panthers' six-game winning streak to advance to the "Sweet 16" for the first time since 2005.
The Spartans did it behind a stifling defense and their pair of 6-foot guards, who combined to score 15 straight points for Michigan State during one stretch to seize control of the game.
Michigan State also held Pittsburgh (26-10) without a field goal for nine minutes in the second half to move onto to a meeting with either Memphis or Mississippi State.
Levance Fields scored 19 points to lead the Panthers, who shot 31.5 percent (17-of-54) and made just one field goal in the final 9 1/2 minutes after taking a 44-42 lead.
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