Michigan State falls short in comeback in Final Four, loses 61-51

MINNEAPOLIS (WJBK) - The Michigan State Spartans couldn't quite complete a comeback in the Final Four in Minneapolis, falling 61-51 to Texas Tech.

The Spartans lost Saturday night, despite coming from behind to push Texas Tech in the final 2 minutes of the game but a costly offensive foul by Cassius Winston, his 4th, when MSU was down just one point, followed by a 9-0 run by Texas Tech spelled the end of the Spartans' run in the NCAA Tournament.

FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack is in East Lansing where fans were on the streets following the loss. You can watch it live on FOX 2's Facebook page here.

Texas Tech will play against Virginia in Monday's championship game.

With 9 minutes left, Tech led 48-35 but a scoring drought of almost five minutes by Texas Tech coupled with a big run by the Spartans brought MSU back into the game for the final two minutes.

Texas Tech's defense stifled the Spartans all game and held Michigan State to 51, the fewest points the Spartans scored all year. The previous season low was 62 - which they did twice.

Michigan State also shot just 32%, also a season low for the Spartans.

Michigan State started out strong against Texas Tech in their Final Four game with a Matt McQuaid three and an Aaron Henry three on their first two shots. The game was tied at six at the first TV timeout with the Red Raiders 2/4 from the field and the Spartans 2/3.

McQuaid had 9 of the Spartans first 12 as they led 14-11 at the second TV timeout. Spartans were shooting 5/9 from the field and 3/6 from 3. The Red Raiders were 4/9 from the field and 2/4 from 3. Both teams had four turnovers. Tariq Owens ran into his own teammate and bumped heads, then later ran into the scoreboard on the floor, but he led Texas Tech with an early five points.

At the 11:32 mark Aaron Henry had to head to the bench with two fouls and Texas Tech took advantage leading 19-18 with 7:21 left in the first half. Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston started to heat up with six on 2/5 from the field. The Red Raiders had three players with five points and were 4/6 from deep while getting eight points off the bench.

Both teams went very cold from the field with some spectacular defense heading to the end of the first half. With 2:34 left in the first, Michigan State was down 21-18 and were 6/21 from the field while the Red Raiders were 7/22. Xavier Tillman, Kenny Goins & Nick Ward were all still looking for their first points and Big 12 Player of the Year Jarrett Culver only had one point.

The final two minutes of the half were pretty even and Texas Tech led 23-21 at the half.
Winston and McQuaid each had nine in the first. Matt Mooney led the Red Raiders with nine as well.
The Spartans hope to play in their first National Championship game since falling to North Carolina in 2009.

Follow @FOX2Sports on Twitter for all your Michigan State news.