No. 2 Michigan State 98, McNeese State 56: Gary Harris led six players in double figures with 20 points and chipped in 10 rebounds as the host Spartans began their season with a blowout win.
Branden Dawson had 12 points and 12 boards and Denzel Valentine finished with 12 points for Michigan State (1-0). Keith Appling and Travis Trice had 11 points apiece for the Spartans, who had a 66-29 advantage on the boards.
Jamaya Burr and Ledrick Eackles paced the Cowboys (0-1) with 11 points apiece. McNeese State was 9-for-34 from 3-point range.
Adrian Fields hit one of those nine 3-pointers just over five minutes in to give the Cowboys a 13-12 lead, but Harris answered with one of his own to ignite a 14-3 run that allowed the hosts to take control. Dawson had six points in a 10-0 surge later in the half and Harris’ layup in the final minute made it 52-25 at the half.
The Spartans then scored the first 11 points of the second half, with Appling scoring seven in the burst, including a layup that capped it and left Michigan State with a 38-point lead. The Spartans, who had 32 assists on 42 baskets, took their largest lead at 86-39 on back-to-back Dawson dunks with just over five minutes to go.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Michigan State has not lost a home opener since 1976. … Cowboys F Desharick Guidry, the team’s leading scorer last season, will miss the first nine games of the season due to academic issues. … C Adreian Payne contributed 10 points for the Spartans.
