COL BKB: Michigan St. 84 Nicholls St. 39

Keith Appling led the way with 13 points in 14th-ranked Michigan State's 84-39 rout of visiting Nicholls State Saturday. Gary Harris and Denzel Valentine added 11 points apiece and Adreian Payne came off the bench to notch 10 points for the Spartans (6-2), who remained undefeated at home. The Spartans were in control most of the way and took a 37-13 lead into the locker room at halftime. Michigan State shot 60 percent from the field compared to 29.4 percent for Nicholls State (1-3). T.J. Carpenter led the Colonels with 11 points and six rebounds despite missing six of his seven shots from 3-point range. JaMarkus Horace chipped in with 10 points. Nicholls State committed 18 turnovers to Michigan State's eight.