2012 N.C.A.A. Tournament - Michigan State Holds Off St. Louis Jay Laprete/Associated Press Brian Conklin and Saint Louis could not keep Draymond Green and the Spartans in check down the stretch. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Led by Draymond Green, No. 1-seeded Michigan State held off No. 9 St. Louis on Sunday, 65-61, advancing to the Round of 16 for the 10th time in Coach Tom Izzo's 17 seasons leading the Spartans. Despite needing almost the full 40 minutes to feel comfortable, Michigan State avoided joining other favored teams that made early exits from this year's N.C.A.A. tournament. The Spartans advanced to face fourth-seeded Louisville in Phoenix in the West Region semifinals. Last season, the star Kemba Walker led Connecticut to the national championship. If Michigan State makes a title run of its own, the Spartans may do it on the broad back of Green. On Sunday, Green did not produce the type of dominating performance to which Spartan fans have become accustomed. Finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, Green had a fairly pedestrian game by his lofty standards. Green came into the game having recorded a triple-double in each of his two previous N.C.A.A. tournament games, dating to last season. He joined Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players to have more than one triple-double in tournament history. Keith Appling led Michigan State with 19 points. Shepherded by Coach Rick Majerus, St. Louis gave Michigan State fits with its active, aggressive defensive scheme. The Billikens had five steals and forced Michigan State into committing 11 turnovers, slowing them to the more methodical pace they prefer. The Spartans did not get much offense out of Green in the first half, when he had 5 points and made just 2 of 5 shots. Green made 6 of 11 field-goal attempts for the game and effectively became the point guard in second half. Green's play became a point of contention in the second half. It appeared that he hit St. Louis's Cody Ellis with an elbow at the top of the key before he put down his dribble The officials reviewed the film with 12 minutes 46 seconds to play but called no foul. St. Louis cut Michigan State's lead to 49-46 with 5:28 left after Jordair Jett made two free throws. That forced Izzo to call a timeout to regroup and whipped the strong contingent of Billikens fans at Nationwide Arena into a frenzy. In a tense finish, the Spartans ended up holding on by making their free throws at the end of the game. Michigan State will advance to Phoenix, where it will surely continue to rely on Green to lead it.