But Kalin Lucas wouldn't let that happen.
With 3.5 seconds left, Lucas hit a jumper to keep No. 5 Michigan State unbeaten in Big Ten play with a 57-56 win over Michigan at Crisler Arena on Tuesday night.
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The Wolverines, sparked by the return from a one-game suspension of leading scorer, Manny Harris, held a 56-55 lead with 1:08 left but failed to build on the lead when senior DeShawn Sims missed on a three-point shot with 38 seconds left.
Lucas gave Michigan State the lead on his clutch jumper. Michigan had one final chance, and Sims, on a short shot from the left side of the basket, missed just slightly.
Senior DeShawn Sims had 19 points and Harris 16 for the Wolverines. Michigan State was led by Raymar Morgan's 20 points, while Kalin Lucas had 12 and Durrell Summers and Draymond Green each had 10.
Michigan State had 18 turnovers to Michigan's four.
Michigan is now 10-10 and 3-5 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State is 18-3, 8-0 Big Ten. The Spartans have won 17 of the last 20 against the Wolverines including seven of the last 10 at Crisler Arena.
Michigan State led by as many as five points in the second half, but the Wolverines whittled away at the lead. With 6:52 left in the game, Harris gave Michigan a 47-46 lead when he scored on a layup off a steal on Korie Lucious.
The Spartans gave up their 16th turnover of the game on their next possession and Michigan converted on a jumper by Sims for a 49-46 lead.
But Michigan State came back, as the teams traded the lead four times before the finish.
Michigan led 27-25 at halftime after taking the lead for good in the first half on a three-pointer by Anthony Wright that sparked an 8-0 run with 9:39 left. The Wolverines built a 23-16 lead at the end of that three-minute run and held on for the halftime lead.
Michigan State, led by Morgan's 13 points, had 11 turnovers that Michigan converted into 15 points.
