Friday, March 13, 2026

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Sports

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU kicks off Big Ten basketball season with 79-63 win against Penn State

While many Spartans are focused on the Rose Bowl game in California, the No. 5 men’s basketball team kicked off the Big Ten season with a 79-73 win against Penn State Tuesday afternoon. Junior forward Branden Dawson was the leading scorer with 20 points and nine rebounds. Penn State dominated early, and got off to a quick 10-3 lead. Fresh off his suspension, redshirt freshman forward Kenny Kaminski hit a pair of three-pointers to bring the Spartans within five points. A dunk by junior forward Brenden Dawson with just over seven minutes to play in the half tied the game at 27. MSU has averaged 10 turnovers a game so far this season, but committed nine in the first half. The combination of hot Penn State shooters and poor rebounding on both ends of the floor sunk the Spartans, as they went into the locker room trailing 47-41. But MSU looked like a different team in the second half. The Spartans stormed out if the gate after the break and scored the first nine points to take the lead. They went on a 16-2 run to put the game out of reach. Penn State tried to get back into it with a couple three-pointers by Big Ten leading scorer D.J.

FOOTBALL

East Lansing bars, restaurants to host Rose Bowl festivities

For the MSU students and football fans unable to travel cross country to Pasadena, those spending New Year’s Day in East Lansing can still enjoy Rose Bowl events and numerous food and drink specials. Bars such as Dublin Square Irish Pub, and Harpers will be featuring half-off drinks all throughout the day to keep the Spartans in spirit. Harpers Bartender Ben Davis said in addition to the drinks, starting at 1 p.m and continuing thoughout the night there will be a $7.95 all-you-can-eat tailgate buffet featuring wings, pizza, cookies, burgers, fruit, salad and more. Contributing to the festivities, Davis said the Sparrow Tailgate Show with sports broadcasters Mad Dog,Tim Staudt and Jack Ebling will be held before the game begins. Crunchy’s East Lansing will host a $2 tailgate beginning at 1 p.m., featuring $2 Screwdrivers, Bloody Mary’s and Labatt and Miller Lite drafts.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU upsets U-M, 3-0, in Great Lakes Invitational

DETROIT — MSU (6-9-2, 0-1-1-1 B1G) used great goaltending and two third period goals to cruise to an upset against No. 3 Michigan (10-4-2, 2-0-0 B1G) 3-0 in the consolation game of the 49th annual Great Lakes Invitational on Saturday night at Comerica Park in Detroit.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU runs away from New Orleans, 101-48

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

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.