Freshman guard Denzel Valentine dunks the ball during the game against Boise State on Nov. 2012, at Breslin Center. The Spartans beat the Broncos, 74-70. Adam Toolin/The State News
—The No. 15 MSU men’s basketball team (3-1 overall) barely escaped with a win over Boise State (3-1), 74-70 at Breslin Center Tuesday night.
Junior guard Keith Appling led the Spartans with 22 points, including two quick buckets late in the second half that put the Spartans up 66-62 with 3:20 remaining in the game. Freshman guard Denzel Valentine tossed in 12, while sophomore forward Branden Dawson added another 10.
MSU played without freshman guard Gary Harris for most of the game, as Harris was sidelined with what appeared to be a shoulder injury early in the first half.
A series of fouls called on MSU in the second half — including a technical foul on head coach Tom Izzo — led to five straight points scored on free throws for the Broncos, putting Boise State up, 59-56.
A slow start in the first half hampered MSU early on, but the Spartans were able to rally back to head into halftime with a 38-32 lead.
MSU will return to Breslin Friday night, when they host the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
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