43 arrested in Mich. after team's loss

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Police said yesterday that 43 people were arrested after thousands of fans took to the streets following the Michigan State men's basketball team's weekend loss in the Final Four. But conditions were calm after the women's team won the following night.

The men lost 87-71 to North Carolina in St. Louis in the semifinal Saturday night.

Afterward, police fired several canisters of tear gas to scatter crowds that at times exceeded 1,000 people in East Lansing. Disturbances were centered on the downtown and near the school.

About half of the 43 people arrested were Michigan State students, said East Lansing Police Captain Juli Liebler. Police filed at least 60 charges of disorderly conduct or alcohol possession by minors.

Police said the night's disturbances, which continued into early Sunday and resulted in at least five assaults on officers, were tamer than in previous years.

Calm prevailed Sunday night after the Michigan State women overcame a 15-point deficit to upset Tennessee 68-64 in their semifinal in Indianapolis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS