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Passing the torch Peterson continues clutch performances for Spartans
Posted: Saturday April 01, 2000 09:09 PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Morris Peterson was sure his grandmother was sitting in the best seat in the RCA Dome. He certainly put on a good show for her. Peterson picked up a sputtering Michigan State team, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the second half in the Spartans' 53-41 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night. After just one basket, Peterson pointed to the sky, where he told one and all on Friday that Clare Mae Spencer would be watching his every move. "I just wanted her to know I was thinking about her," Peterson said. His grandmother, who had a stroke in February, died in Picayune, Miss., last Saturday -- the day her grandson and his team advanced to the Final Four. Peterson was told of her death moments after the game ended. She was buried Thursday. "She was out there with him tonight. She maybe hit some of those shots for him," Mateen Cleaves said. "Everybody wanted to win for him tonight," said Andre Hutson, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans. "He had a main goal to go out there and win for his grandmother. He had a terrific game. He really was full of energy and he pulled us through in the second half." Peterson, in turn, credited his teammates: "Everybody pulled behind me. It was just a blessing to be part of this team, the way they all stood with me." Cleaves did the most to lift Peterson's spirits. "I just told him I love him," Cleaves said. "I just wanted to keep his spirits up. So, I stayed in his face, made him feel upbeat." The Spartans, who have won three straight Big Ten championships, have been on a mission to win the national title since losing to Duke in the national semifinals last year. This was the reason Cleaves returned for his senior year. Make no mistake, Cleaves is still the heart of this team. But more and more as the tournament has rolled on, Peterson has been the one to bail out the Spartans. "You got to give a lot of credit to Pete today," Cleaves said. This is becoming a habit for Peterson.
Peterson scored 13 points in a comeback win over Utah, 21 in a
win over Syracuse and 18 in a comeback victory over Iowa State in
the Midwest Regional final.
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