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Bryn Forbes Helps Michigan State Survive Scare Against Oakland

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Bryn Forbes #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Hosting Oakland wasn’t even supposed to be a challenge for the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans, but they needed 32 points from Bryn Forbes to avoid an upset with a 99-93 overtime win.

In his first game without Denzel Valentine (knee surgery) Forbes stepped up and poured in a career scoring high, including seven three pointers. He was helped by Eron Harris, who added 27 points of his own.

“A lot of guys stepped up,” Forbes said. “A lot of guys did things they had to do.”

The win gives Michigan State, who have won all 13 of their games this season, the best start in school history. That reality wasn’t lost on Harris. I’m not really worried about the points I scored,” he said. “That’s what I’m supposed to do. I’m just glad I got to be part of the win and making history.”

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But even with those efforts, the Spartans still struggled. Their main challenge was slowing down Kay Felder, who is one of the best scorers in the nation; they were largely unsuccessful as he finished with 37 points and nine assists.

“I was disappointed in my team in the first half, especially in the defense we played,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “That had nothing to do with Denzel Valentine. Felder looked like one of the best players I’ve ever seen here.”

Eventually, though, Michigan State’s quality proved to be too much. “Everyone in this place thought they were going to make a run at us,” Oakland coach Greg Kampe said of the crowd. “I said, `Let’s be the team that makes the run and get it up to 20.’ But that’s Michigan State. That’s what they did. Eventually, they became what they are.”

The Golden Grizzlies did prove themselves on a national stage, however. “I kind of feel bad for Greg,” Izzo said. “He has a hell of a team. I’m going to be mad at him if he doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament, because that’s an NCAA Tournament team.”

Photo: Bryn Forbes #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)