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Sports | Basketball

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU runs away from New Orleans, 101-48

Matt Sheehan
December 28, 2013

With New Orleans meeting No. 5 MSU for the first time in program history, the Privateers were looking to be the first-ever Southland Conference school to take down the Spartans. They did not come close to accomplishing the historic feat, as 12 Spartans scored en route to a 101-48 victory. Senior guard Keith Appling got the ball rolling early for MSU, as he scored seven of the Spartans’ first nine points.

BASKETBALL

MSU leading New Orleans at halftime

Matt Sheehan
December 28, 2013

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.

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Spartans turn game around late, beat Oakland

Zach Smith
December 14, 2013

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — It wasn’t pretty, but the No. 5 MSU men’s basketball team got the job done. MSU committed 17 turnovers and shot just 42 percent, but they came out on top against Oakland 67-63 Saturday afternoon at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Senior center Adreian Payne and junior forward Branden Dawson each had double-doubles on the night, while senior guard Keith Appling led the Spartans in scoring with 21 points, 17 of them coming in the second half. Payne had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Dawson added 16 points and 13 rebounds.

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Drew Valentine facing familiar foe as MSU grad assistant

Matt Sheehan
December 13, 2013

After his senior season as an Oakland Grizzly came to a close, Drew Valentine had a tough decision to make — go overseas in hopes of starting a basketball career, or join MSU’s basketball team as a graduate assistant. Already suffering an ACL tear, a torn meniscus and a removed tumor in his pinky during his career, he decided he had too many bumps and bruises to continue playing basketball.

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Women's basketball falls on road at Va. Tech

Derek Blalock
December 7, 2013

The MSU women’s basketball team continued its recent struggles with a third-straight loss Saturday afternoon losing, 72-66, at Virginia Tech. Despite hitting two 3-pointers in the final minute of the game, the Spartans (5-4 overall) couldn’t get the comeback victory. MSU started three freshmen in the lineup because of junior guard Kiana Johnson missing her second straight game with an infection.

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Sick Costello shines in shadows of loss

Zach Smith
December 5, 2013

Matt Costello wasn’t supposed to play Wednesday night — but he contributed in a big way. Despite a 79-65 loss to North Carolina, the sophomore forward was the only member of the No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team to play with the spirit of the best team in the nation.

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No. 1 Spartans fall to UNC after slow start

Matt Sheehan
December 4, 2013

The No. 1 men’s basketball team walked onto the court in kryptonite-colored socks for their highly-anticipated Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup against North Carolina. However, the Superman of college hoops walked off the court with their first loss of the season to UNC, 75-69. The Spartans never led during a game that showcased some of MSU’s most troubling tendencies on the season thus far. The game started just as poorly as it possibly could have for MSU and had the packed Breslin Center in a restless frenzy almost immediately. Junior forward Alex Gauna, who got the start in place of ill sophomore forward Matt Costello, started the game by committing two fouls and a turnover within the first 90 seconds. MSU went on to turn the ball over eight times, four of which came in the first five minutes, and allowing UNC to grab 10 offensive rebounds on the half.