Acrisure Holiday Invitational: Results, Highlights

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – Michigan State overcame a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to defeat California, 78-72, Tuesday at Acrisure Arena to begin what organizers billed as the nation’s largest gathering of college basketball- multi-team events.

The Spartans opened the fourth quarter by scoring 10 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 60-58 with 6 minutes, 51 seconds to play in an Acrisure Holiday Invitational women’s game.

Michigan State took its first lead since the second quarter when Nyla Hampton’s 3-pointer with 3:59 left put it ahead 67-66. Julia Ayrault capped the 9-1 run with a jump shot to extend the Spartans’ lead to 69-66 with 2:34 left.

After a tip-in by center Gabrielle Abigor pulled the Golden Bears within one, 69-68, with 2:18 left, Michigan State scored the next six points and led by at least four the rest of the game.

Ayrault scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, while Theryn Hallock added 15 for the Spartans (7-0). Lulu Twidale led California (6-1) with 20.

Michigan State will face Vanderbilt, a 71-60 winner over Arizona, later Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Acrisure Holiday Invitational women’s championship game, while the Golden Bears will play third-place Arizona at 11.

In later men’s games, Stanford (6-0) met Grand Canyon (3-2) at 4 p.m., while California Baptist (4-2) and SMU (4-2) will play at 6:30 p.m., and Fresno State (3-2) and Washington State (5-1) at 21.00

All games will be broadcast by TruTV and streamed by Max.

Wednesday’s other games include USC’s sixth-ranked women’s team against Seton Hall at 4 p.m

The 19-game Acrisure Series ends Friday.