Michigan State advances to Sweet 16 with win over No. 2 Virginia

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Michigan State Spartans advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament Sunday with a 60-54 upset win over No. 2 Virginia.

Michigan State jumped out to an early 15-4 lead and never looked back, allowing Virginia to close within two points just once in the second half.

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The Spartans only trailed for 18 seconds, 2-0, in the opening minutes of the game.

MSU ended Virginia's season for the second year in a row, as Tom Izzo's squad topped the No. 1 Cavaliers in the Sweet 16 in last year's tournament.

Travis Trice led Michigan State with 23 points on seven of 15 shooting. Branden Dawson chipped in 15 points, nine boards and four blocks.

The Spartans held Virginia to 29.8 percent shooting from the floor. The Cavaliers made just two of 17 three point shots.

Michigan State moves on to battle the winner of No. 11 Dayton and No. 3 Oklahoma in the Sweet 16. The top seed in the East Region, Villanova, fell to No. 8 N.C. State Saturday night.