Adreian Payne’s 41 points set Michigan State tournament record
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SPOKANE, Wash. -- Senior forward Adreian Payne didn’t have a great day in Michigan State’s 93-78 win over Delaware in Thursday’s East Regional opener at the Spokane Arena.
Payne had a record-setting day.
His 41 points against the Blue Hens were the most ever scored by a Michigan State player in the NCAA tournament.
Payne eclipsed Greg Kelser’s previous mark of 34, scored in a 1979 regional final win over Notre Dame. Michigan State went on to win the national title that year.
Payne made 10 of his 15 field-goal attempts and all 17 of his free-throw tries. He was the first player to score 40 in the tournament since Stephen Curry in 2008.
Payne also bested his career high of 33 points, scored against Texas last December.
“It feels like you can’t be stopped,” Payne said of the rhythm he was in.
The NCAA tournament single-game record is held by Notre Dame’s Austin Carr, who scored 61 against Ohio in 1970.
Carl Baptiste, the Delaware player trying to defend against Payne most of the game, fouled out.
Delaware Coach Monte Ross said Payne “was probably the best big man that I’ve faced in 21 years of college basketball.”
Michigan State advanced to play Harvard on Saturday.
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