Matt Charboneau writes the obituary for Michigan State in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Leading by nine early in the second half, the Spartans went scoreless for more than six minutes and watched their lead evaporate, one they could never regain as Connecticut (30-8) held on for a 60-54 victory in the East Regional final at Madison Square Garden.
Gary Harris scored 22 points and Adreian Payne had 13, but none could overcome the 25 points from Shabazz Napier, including three free throws in the final minute that put the game away.
Payne and Keith Appling also become the first four-year players under coach Tom Izzo to not reach a Final Four as Izzo lost in a regional final for the first time since 2003.
Michigan State (29-9) went 6:01 without scoring and 6:55 without a field goal after taking a 32-23 lead. The Huskies took advantage and scored the next 12 points to take a 35-32 lead with 11:47 to play.
