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Purdue Fort Wayne
Michigan State
#25 Michigan State Powers Past IPFW
12/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2006
East Lansing, MI- The 25th ranked Michigan State Spartans parlayed a 15 point halftime lead into an 80-43 win over IPFW on Wednesday night at the Breslin Center.
The Mastodons stayed close for most of the first half as senior forward Justin Hawkins hit all three of the three-pointers he launched.
The Spartans also got strong play from junior guard Drew Neitzel and opened up a 39-24 lead at the intermission. Neitzel paced MSU in the first half with nine points of his own.
In the second half, IPFW turned the ball over on the first possession and Michigan State never looked back.
The Spartans outscored the `Dons 41-19 in the second session to breeze to the 37-point win.
Michigan State had four players in double figures, with Neitzel, sophomore guard Maurice Joseph, and, sophomore forward Marquise Gray all scoring a game-high 13 points.
IPFW was led by senior forward Tyler Best with 12 points. Jaraun Burrows was the only other Mastodon in double-figures with 10.
The swarming Spartans defense held IPFW to just 26.5% shooting, while State converted on 50.9% of their shots.
MSU also outrebounded the `Dons 45-25.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 8-2 on the season while IPFW falls to 3-6.
The Mastodons finish their three-game road trip with a record of 1-2 and host Kent State on Saturday afternoon at 2pm.
~Dons~
