As North Carolina tried to claw even with guard Elliott Cadeau scoring 11 of his 15 points in the second half, the Spartans maintained a multi-possession lead most of the way. Guard Jaden Akins picked up 10 points in the second half, finishing tough buckets.

Tre Holloman is a third-year guard at Michigan State who had appeared in 76 games for the Spartans before Wednesday. Career starts: two. Starts this season: zero. But with an opponent in North Carolina that starts three guards 6-foot-3 or smaller,

Tre Holloman and Xavier Booker combined for eight points in overtime and Michigan State held off No. 12 North Carolina 94-91 for third place in the Maui Invitational.

Paradise might not have been perfect for the Michigan State men’s basketball team, but its trip out to the Maui Invitational was largely a success. The Spartans went 2-1, picking up wins against Colorado and No. 12 North Carolina and a loss to Memphis.

Michigan State men’s basketball beats No. 12 North Carolina in overtime to clinch third place in the Maui Invitational.

They weren’t leaving Maui without beating North Carolina. Or at least putting up the best wire-to-wire fight they could. It’s as if they firmly understood that if you want to be taken seriously,