Jaxon Kohler had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead Michigan State to a 96-60 nonconference win over Niagara on Thursday in East Lansing, Mich.
Kohler was one of five players in double-figures for the Spartans (2-0).
Jase Richardson scored 12, Tre Holloman and Frankie Fidler each had 11, Jaden Akins added 10 points and six rebounds and Jeremy Fears Jr. collected a game-high eight assists for Michigan State, which hosts No. 1 Kansas on Tuesday.
Olumide Adelodun scored 13 points, Jahari Williamson had 12 and Jhaylon Martinez added 10 for the Purple Eagles (1-1).
Niagara was within 47-44 with 19:12 remaining before Michigan State went on an 11-0 run to take a 58-44 lead with 15:45 left.
The Spartans grew their lead to 70-51 with 10:02 left after a layup by Kohler, and then went up 78-54 with 7:56 remaining after a 3-pointer by Fidler.
By the end, the only question was whether Michigan State would crack the 100-point mark. Michigan State couldn’t quite get there but shot 52.2 percent from the field (35-of-67), 33.3 percent from 3-point range (6-of-18) and held a 45-28 rebounding advantage.
Michigan State had 16 offensive rebounds, including six by Kohler. The Spartans only turned it over nine times and had 20 assists.
The Purple Eagles shot 37.7 percent from the field overall (20-of-53), 34.6 percent from 3-point range (9-of-26) and committed 16 turnovers.
Niagara held a 12-11 lead with 13:27 remaining in the first half, but Michigan State went on a 13-3 run and led 24-15 with 10:14 left before halftime.
The Purple Eagles whittled down a 10-point deficit to five at 36-31 with 3:57 remaining in the half. The Spartans took a 46-39 lead into the break.
–Field Level Media
