Gonzaga rallies, avoids Michigan State upset on flight deck

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Drew Timme likened it to the feeling of playing hoops in a park as a kid, only this time it was on the flight deck of a powerful ship.

Timme had a double-double, finishing with 22 points and 13 boards, as the second-ranked Bulldogs beat Michigan State 64-63 at the North Island Naval Air Station.

It's definitely not the same. It's something you don't experience often. Growing up in the park helped me. They had to do it too. It wasn't the prettiest game to watch, but it was a true test of our perseverance and I think we did a good job of answering the bell.

Timme gave the Zags the lead two times. He made it 63-61 with an inside shot before Hall tied it. Timme made the second of his two free throws with less than two minutes to go.

Michigan State's Jaden Akins missed a desperation 3-pointer just before the buzzer after he was called for traveling.

Spartans coach Tom Izzo said thatGonzaga is who they are because they are good. They have a go- to guy. He just came up. He is supposed to do that.

I want to feel good about the setting, our fans, the veterans, the way our team played, but how do you feel good when you lose a game?" It is difficult to do.

Timme had tied the game at 55 with a 3-point play and the other side had tied it at 59 with a big 3-pointer.

Strawther had a double-double with 13 points and nine boards.

Mady Sissoko scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half, but he picked up his third foul early in the second half and didn't have much of an impact on the game.

Three minutes into the second half, the Spartans led 45-33, but the Zags went on an 11-0 run to make it a one point game. Timme made a spin move layup, was foul and made the free throw, and then fed a baseline jumper to make it a three-point game. The Zags were down to their last chance to win the game.

Tyson Walker made a layup with 12 minutes left in the game.

Timme's 3-point play tied it at 55-55 and thenBolton hit a 3-point shot for a 59-59 tie.

Timme made just four of 10 free throws and could have given the Zags a cushion late in the game.

The game was played 11 years ago on the day after the North Carolina-Michigan State game on the flight deck of the Carl Vinson, with then-president Barack Obama and his wife watching from courtside.

The uniforms had the U.S.A. on them. The flag was retired by the crowd before the second half started. Sailors from the aircraft carrier made up the majority of the crowd.

The strong inside game of Sissoko helped Michigan State to a 38-31 halftime lead. Sissoko had three slam dunks in the last 5 minutes of the first half. The Spartans took control of the game after his last two dunks. Michigan State had two steals in a row.

Each team made at least one 3-pointer in the first two minutes. Most of the wind off the Pacific Ocean was blocked by the six level conning tower and the board game.