South Carolina men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn has said in recent weeks his program aspires to be like Michigan State’s.

It’s not there yet, but maybe it’s closer than many assumed.

The young Gamecocks hung extremely tough for stretches, but the No. 2 Spartans were a challenge too difficult to master, pulling away late for a too-close-for-comfort 82-73 win at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Tuesday night.

After falling behind by five points after an early 5-4 lead, USC (1-1) embarked on a 10-1 run to take a 21-19 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Ramon Galloway (four points) with 9:14 remaining in the first half. Things got away from USC after that, however, as Michigan State (2-0) ended the half on a 23-4 for a 42-25 advantage at the break.

Trailing by 17 points at the half, the Gamecocks fought right back into it with four shots from beyond the arc in the first four minutes of the second half, cutting the State lead to 48-40 with 15:13 left in the game. State built its lead back up to as many as 16 points from there, but USC again came charging back, cutting the lead to six on a Bruce Ellington (22 points, six assists and five steals) three to trail 71-63 with 2:17 remaining.

USC wasn’t able to get over the hump from there though, as the Spartans took control over the closing moments to escape with the 9-point win.