EAST LANSING, Mich. — Coen Carr scored nine of his 15 points in the second half, while Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half. No. 7 Michigan State University The teams remained undefeated with a 71-52 victory over Iowa State in the Big Ten Conference opener on Tuesday night.
Spartans (8-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will play No. 4 Duke Saturday at home.
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Michigan State is off to its best start in a decade with three wins AP Top 25 Teams: North Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas.
The Hawkeyes (7-1, 0-1) were undefeated under first-year coach Ben McCollum until they met one of the hottest teams in college basketball.
Iowa State’s Bennett Stietz came into the game averaging nearly 19 points per game, scored just 4 points in the first half, and finished with 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting. None of his teammates scored more than seven points, and the Hawkeyes shot a combined 38 percent from the field.
Michigan State’s Jaxson Koehler notched his second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
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In the middle of the first half, the Spartans scored 13 points in a row. Phils made two free throws and a jumper to give the team a 25-10 lead.
At halftime, Michigan State led 35-21, and the Hawkeyes shot 33% from the field.
Iowa State had more turnovers (nine) than shots (seven) early in the second half, hurting its chances of contending with the defending Big Ten champions.
The Spartans shot half of their field goals and made 22 of 25 free throws to lead by 11 points at the free throw line.
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Michigan State hosts the Blue Devils and Iowa hosts Maryland on Saturday.
