EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Alvin Ellis chose to stay at Michigan State, resisting the urge of following two of his former teammates and transferring to another school.
The Spartans are glad he did.
Ellis scored 15 of his 18 points with a 3-point barrage in the first half and finished with six 3-pointers — doubling his previous career high — to help Michigan State beat Ohio State 74-66 on Tuesday night.
“I’m happy for Alvin,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. “Anytime a kid goes through tough times and in this day and age, when everybody transfers, quits their job … goes to three high schools, four AAU teams, he didn’t. He gutted it out. And you know what? It might end up being a heck of a deal for him and a great way to go out as a senior.”
Ellis watched Marvin Clark Jr. and Javon Bess transfer after last season, going to St. John’s and Saint Louis, respectively, and decided to finish his career at Michigan State. Ellis scored a career-high 20 points in the Big Ten opener, helping the Spartans rally to win at Minnesota.
He didn’t score as many points against the Buckeyes, but he had the best shooing stretch as a Spartan.
Ellis made five 3-pointers in a 3:38 span of the first half, helping the Spartans take a 21-12 lead and stunning the crowd and the Buckeyes because the senior was averaging just six points a game.
“I was feelin’ it,” the reserve shooting guard said
Ellis finished 6 of 9 beyond the arc and 6 of 11 overall, falling two points shy of his career high.
“He was on fire,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.
Miles Bridges had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Nick Ward scored 15 for Michigan State (16-10, 8-5 Big Ten), which has won four of five.
Ohio State’s Marc Loving scored 22 points and reserve JaQuan Lyle scored all 10 of his points in the first half after missing the previous game, a setback to No. 23 Maryland.
The Buckeyes (15-12, 5-9) have lost four of six.
GAME OF RUNS
After the Ellis-led surge for the Spartans, the Buckeyes scored 10 straight to take the lead before falling behind 40-34 at halftime.
The Spartans scored the first six points of the second half, building a 12-point lead. Ohio State, once again, rallied with a 17-6 run to pull within one point.
“We stopped the bleeding,” Loving said. “But weren’t able to recover.”
Michigan State finished off the Buckeyes by outscoring them 12-2 to take an 11-point lead and they were able to keep a comfortable cushion.
IZZO TAKES ON DAKICH
During the game, Izzo didn’t like it when Michigan State students were jeering ESPN analyst and chanting, “We hate Dak-ich! We hate Dak-ich!”  After the game, Izzo was told Dakich, whose son plays basketball at Michigan, posted this reply on his Twitter account after the Wolverines beat Michigan State last week: “Sparty not only whines but now just dumb!! Couldn’t get into UM?? “
“Twitter got him in trouble and he earned it,” Izzo said . “I’m surprised ESPN would let somebody say something like that that works for them. … Danny owes our fans and our students an apology.”
A message seeking comment was e-mailed to ESPN.
More than an hour after the game, Dakich appeared to delete the aforementioned tweet.
BIG PICTURE
Ohio State: The Buckeyes, who played in the NIT last season, are in danger of failing to make the NCAA Tournament in two straight years for the first time since Matta took over the program in 2004.
“I think we’re making progress, but obviously we’re not there yet,” Matta said.
Michigan State: The Spartans have improved their chances of extending their NCAA Tournament streak to 20 with their recent surge of success.
UP NEXT:
Ohio State: Host Nebraska on Saturday.
Michigan State: Play at No. 16 Purdue on Saturday.