Spartans Top Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 85-52

EAST LANSING (AP) — Matt Costello and Travis Trice each scored 15 points to lead No. 19 Michigan State past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 85-52 on Saturday.

Branden Dawson had 12 points and seven rebounds for Michigan State (6-3). Bryn Forbes added 12-points, making 4 of 7 3-point shots.

The Spartans never trailed, built a 34-point halftime advantage and snapped a two-game losing streak against Kansas and Notre Dame.

Marcel Mosely scored 19 points and Ghiavonnie Robinson had 13 for the Golden Lions (1-7), who dropped their fifth in a row.

Michigan State made 30 of 50 shots from the field and 10 of 18 from 3-point range. The Spartans finished with 27 assists, setting up 90 percent of its baskets.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff had 15 steals and helped force Michigan State into 18 turnovers. But the Spartans held the Golden Lions to 31-percent shooting and had a 42-28 rebound advantage.

Michigan State smothered Arkansas-Pine Bluff throughout the first half and held the Golden Lions to 24-percent shooting, including 11 percent from long rangeBut the visitors kept competing and outscored the Spartans 32-31 in the second half, giving Tom Izzo something to talk about in practice next week.

But his big men performed well, with Gavin Schilling and Costello combining for 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Izzo also praised Denzel Valentine, who set the tone with eight assists and six rebounds.

Marvin Clark Jr. added 10 points in 15 minutes for Michigan State. He was the only Spartan who didn't miss a free throw, going 3 for 3. His team made just 15 of 27 free throws.

TIP-INS

Santa Clara: Mosley, a 6-foot senior guard, is ranked third in the Southwest Athletic Conference in four statistical categories. He gave MSU trouble with his quickness and had more than half his team's points (11 of 20) in the first half.

Michigan State: The game was the first of a seven-game homestand, the longest in Izzo's 20 seasons as coach. The stretch ends with conference games against Maryland and Indiana.

UP NEXT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff visits Air Force next Saturday.

Michigan State hosts Oakland next Sunday.

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