Associated Press, December 10, 2016
(AP) Eron Harris started the scoring in each half with multiple made 3-point shots and scored 20 points as Michigan State stayed in front throughout in beating Tennessee Tech 71-63 Saturday at the Breslin Center.
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Harris hit a trio of 3-point shots early in the first half, and two early in the second half. He finished 5 of 11 from behind the 3-point line.
Aleksa Jugovic, the top scorer for the Golden Eagles (4-7) at 17 points per game, scored 14 on 4-of-13 shooting. Kajon Mack scored 12 points.
Michigan State's Nick Ward, who scored 10 points, bothered and blocked shots on the defensive end and scored inside to help the Spartans (7-4) build a 58-44 lead with 11:29 remaining.
Michigan State led by 18 just five minutes into the game, but Tennessee Tech trimmed it to 10 by halftime and closed it to single digits in the game's final minute.
BIG PICTURE
TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles came in averaging 76.2 points per game on 43 percent shooting, but managed just 27 points on 35 percent shooting in the first half. They improved to 40 percent in the second half.
MICHIGAN STATE: The injury hampered Spartans played without two starters, sophomore guard Matt McMcQuaid (concussion symptoms) and freshman forward Miles Bridges (ankle), but had more than enough for Tennessee Tech. McQuaid should be back this week, and Bridges, whose 16.7 points per game average leads the team, could return by next weekend.
UP NEXT
TENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles head back to their home state, but stay on the road when they take on the "big" school back home, the University of Tennessee on Tuesday.
MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans, three games into a five-game stretch of home games, hit the practice floor for a week before hosting Northeastern on Dec. 18.
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