Lucas, Raymar Morgan save Spartans

Associated Press

SPOKANE, WASH.

Thanks to Kalin Lucas’ career night, Raymar Morgan’s late help — and a huge assist from the officials — Michigan State is moving on.

Lucas scored a career-high 25 points and Morgan emerged from a quiet night by hitting key shots down the stretch as fifth-seeded Michigan State edged No. 12 New Mexico State 70-67 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Morgan broke a late tie with four straight points, then made two free throws with 18.6 seconds remaining with the aid of a rare lane-violation call.

Still, it was an uneven game for the Spartans (25-8), a microcosm of their at-times dazzling, other times dumbfounding season following a loss to North Carolina in last year’s national championship game.

Troy Gillenwater scored 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left that got New Mexico State (22-12) within 68-67.

On the other end, Morgan made his first free throw and missed the second. But with the Spartans heading downcourt to defend an apparent two-point lead, official Ray Perone called either New Mexico State’s Wendell McKines or Gillenwater — or both — for a violation for stepping into the lane too early on the shot.

Morgan converted his gift second chance to put the Spartans up 70-67.

Jonathan Gibson then missed a long 3-pointer with seconds left, and Hernst Laroche missed another one that would have tied it with 0.3 seconds left.

Draymond Green intercepted the final inbounds pass and slammed the ball onto the court in celebration as the buzzer sounded, the crowd booed — and Michigan State fans exhaled.

New Mexico State coach Marvin Menzies had to be restrained by his assistants from going after the officials after the wild ending.

Gibson had 16 points for New Mexico State, which had won seven of nine games — including the WAC tournament championship.