Illini’s Ayo Dosunmu hurt on last-second scoring chance in loss to Michigan State

CHAMPAIGN — Star guard Ayo Dosunmu, who scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the second half, turned the ball over while crumbling to the floor and clutched his left knee with three seconds left, and No. 22 Illinois suffered a -70-69 loss to Michigan State on Tuesday night at State Farm Center in Champaign.

The severity of Dosunmu’s injury wasn’t immediately made available.

Xavier Tillman’s dunk with six seconds left won it for the Spartans.

Michigan State went on a 6-0 run midway through the second half. With the Illini (16-8, 8-5 Big Ten) struggling from outside, the Spartans (17-8, 9-5) played a switching zone defense most of the game, and Illinois, which lost its third in a row, had trouble penetrating.

Dosunmu hit two layups and Illinois went on a 10-0 run with nine minutes left. The Illini went on another 10-0 run and took their first lead of the game at 61-60 with 5:27 left.

The Spartans led 37-20 at the half after starting the game in an 8-0 run with three-pointers by Aaron Henry and Cassius Winston. Tevian Jones hit a three-pointer at nearly four minutes into the game. Illinois was flat the entire first half and shot only 26 percent from the field, while the Spartans shot 50 percent.

Andres Feliz scored 15 points and Kofi Cockburn added 11 for the Illinois.

Rocket Watts led the Spartans with 21 points.

BIG PICTURE

Michigan State: The Spartans needed the win on the road, which ended a three-game losing streak.

Illinois: After a seven-game winning streak, the Illini have lost three in a row, The team’s hopes for this season likely rest on how serious Dosunmu’s injury is.

UP NEXT

Michigan State: Hosts No. 9 Maryland on Saturday.

Illinois: Travels to Rutgers on Saturday and No. 13 Penn State next Tuesday.