Michigan State rebounds with rout of Nittany Lions

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Raymar Morgan scored 16 points and No. 19 Michigan State remained unbeaten at home with an 86-49 victory over Penn State Wednesday night.

The Spartans (21-5, 9-4 Big Ten) were coming off back-to-back road losses which likely knocked them out of the conference championship chase.

Stanley Pringle had 12 points for the Nittany Lions (12-13, 4-9).

Michigan State is 15-0 at home this season, including 7-0 in Big Ten action. The Spartans haven’t won a Big Ten title since 2001 and likely won’t this season, either, despite being the preseason favorite.

They have lost four games away from East Lansing, including defeats at Purdue and Indiana last week that all but eliminated Michigan State from Big Ten title contention.

The Nittany Lions have lost five straight on the road. Their last win away from home was at Illinois on Jan. 6.

Penn State has never won in East Lansing, losing 16 straight.

Michigan State spurted to a 26-15 lead in the first half, capped by back-to-back baskets from Marquise Gray and Drew Naymick. The Spartans led by as many as 14 in the first half and led 39-27 at the break, shooting 60 percent from the field.

Michigan State opened the second half with a 13-2 run to grab a commanding 50-29 lead. Morgan had nine points during the decisive stretch.

Drew Neitzel and Goran Suton scored 10 points each for Michigan State. The Spartans shot 58 percent from the floor and connected on 10-of-17 from 3-point range.

Jamelle Cornley had 11 points for Penn State.

The Nittany Lions shot 35 percent from the field, including 5-for-19 from 3-point distance.