Senior guard Keith Appling shoots a three-pointer Dec. 28, 2013, at Breslin Center during the game against New Orleans. The Spartans defeated the Privateers, 101-48. Julia Nagy/The State News
It was another slow start against a less formidable opponent for MSU, but the No. 5 men’s basketball team goes into halftime leading New Orleans, 44-27.
Senior guard Keith Appling got the ball rolling early for MSU, as he scored seven of the Spartans’ first nine points. Appling leads the game with 16 points and six assists.
However, his teammates started out sluggish, including sophomore guard Garry Harris, who missed his first five shots from the field. Harris reminded the crowd at Breslin Center of his unmistakable talent by nailing two consecutive 3-point attempts to give MSU a 21-10 lead with just over nine minutes to go. He finished the half with nine points and five rebounds.
With 3:20 to go in the half, Harris brought the loudest crowd reaction when he threw down an and-one dunk on a fast break, assisted by Appling.
With Matt Costello on the bench recovering from mononucleosis and Dawson sidelined with a bruised shin, head coach Tom Izzo had the chance to create some unorthodox lineups, including junior forward Russell Byrd grabbing 12 minutes off the bench. Byrd went 0-for-2 from the field, but contributed three rebounds and two blocks — one on a dunk attempt by New Orleans forward Cory Dixon.
Seldom-used walk-on forward Colby Wollenman also checked into the game, but didn’t take any shots or grab any rebounds on the half.
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