EAST LANSING, Mich. – Colgate shot 48 percent from the field and connected on 11 trifectas, but No. 22 Michigan State used a 15-2 second-half run to turn a tie game into a double-digit decision, 80-69, on Monday night inside the Breslin Center.
Four Raiders scored in double figures. Sam Wright posted 17 points on 7-of-13 from the field. First-year Andrew Alekseyenko started and played 35 minutes, scoring 14 points on 6-of-12. Jalen Cox finished with 12 points on an efficient 5-of-6 showing from the field along with eight rebounds and seven assists.
COACH LANGEL'S COMMENTS
"Proud of the group for our competitive spirit. There are no moral victories but I think we learned lots about ourselves and the team we can be tonight. Being tied in the second half at Breslin is not insignificant. With that said, obviously we got hurt on the glass and in transition, both of which caused fouls and earned MSU FTs. Credit Michigan state for doing the things they are known for in rebounding, playing in transition and getting to the FT line.
"Outside of the 40 minutes, it was a great environment, and hopefully an experience that will help us this season and be a part of memories for our players for a long time moving forward. I know it will for me. It's not all the time that one gets a chance to compete against a hall of fame coach and one of the most decorated programs in college basketball history.
"I did think that all of our players new to Colgate showed signs of the players they can be. Ayomi, Andrew and Ben are good players who I think can certainly help us in a variety of ways."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Brady Cummins cashed a 3-pointer at the end of the first half to pull the Raiders within three, 37-34, and then his second three-ball tied the game 41-41 early in the second half. It was still a one-possession game when Alekseyenko's left-handed layup pulled the Raiders within 47-45 seven minutes into the stanza.
Michigan State capitalized from the free throw line to fuel a 15-2 response. The Spartans, who shot 27 free throw attempts in the second half, led by as many as 15. Wright finished a three-point play and then Cox connected from long range to cut the deficit to seven, 62-55, with 7:22 to go.
Unfortunately Colgate wouldn't get any closer despite late 3-pointers from Ben Tweedy and Kyle Carlesimo. Michigan State finished 24-of-37 from the free throw line while Colgate was just 4-of-6.
Colgate shot 45 percent in the first half which started with a 3-pointer from Alekseyenko for the Raiders' only lead of the game. Michigan State led by as many as seven but the back-and-forth stanza was capped by a Cummins 3-pointer to close the gap to 37-34 at the break.
The game was tied twice in the second half before the Spartans used their advantage on the boards and at the free throw line to pull away.
UP NEXT
Colgate hosts Northeastern for its home opener Friday night. Tipoff from Cotterell Court is 5 p.m.
