CLEVELAND – Michigan State dug deep once again to build a second-half momentum that carried them forward through March Madness.
This time, it was Frankie Fidler that rose to the occasion to lift the Spartans above New Mexico 71-63.
READ MORE: Michigan State rallies past New Mexico to reach Sweet 16
Michigan State trailed by two points at halftime as the Spartans struggled to contain New Mexico forward Mustapha Amzil. Heading into the second half, the Spartans turned to their bench, bringing in Fidler, who scored a pair of back-to-back baskets to give Michigan State its biggest lead of the game.
The Spartans finished strong, with Tre Richardson hitting three free throws then a three-point and-one play to seal the deal.
The Spartans will face Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 next Friday in Atlanta, with tipoff scheduled for 7:09 p.m.
Check out some of our favorite photos from the game below, or click here for the full gallery.
Michigan State Spartans forward Frankie Fidler (8) celebrates after drawing a foul as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans center Szymon Zapala (10) New Mexico Lobos guard Tru Washington (3) and New Mexico Lobos forward Mustapha Amzil (22) leap to tip a ball circling the rim as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) and New Mexico Lobos forward Jovan Milicevic (24) reach for a ball headed out-of-bounds as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The Michigan State Spartans band celebrates as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) goes after a jump ball as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) walks back onto the court after he flew out-of-bounds as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo looks to the scoreboard as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) guard Jase Richardson (11) guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) and forward Jaxon Kohler (0) celebrate as they head into a time-out as Michigan State faces New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans forward Frankie Fidler (8) and forward Coen Carr (55) celebrate after Michigan State defeated New Mexico 71-63 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
Michigan State Spartans guard Tre Holloman (5) hugs fans after Michigan State defeated New Mexico 71-63 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, March 23, 2025.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
LATEST MSU BASKETBALL NEWS
- Welcome to Big Ten vs. SEC in the Sweet 16: ‘It’s showtime’
- FAU magic lives on at Michigan, elsewhere in Cinderella-less Sweet 16
- It’s ‘disgusting’ to Tom Izzo that NCAA transfer portal is open right now
- Michigan State survives the rare Jase Richardson clunker
- The key to Tom Izzo’s longevity? It hasn’t changed since he beat Arkansas in 1995