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College basketball: Nick Ward’s big night helps Michigan State win in a rout

Michigan State's Nick Ward tries to score between Green Bay's Josh McNair, left, and Sandy Cohen III, during the first half Sunday.
(Al Goldis / Associated Press)
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Michigan State gave up a basket, and Nick Ward immediately took off. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward beat everyone down the court and took a long pass for a layup.

Ward scored 22 of his 28 points in a nearly perfect first half to help the ninth-ranked Spartans rout Green Bay 104-83 on Sunday night in East Lansing, Mich. Ward made all nine of his field goal attempts in the first half, although he did miss a free throw. He was particularly impressive in transition and appeared to relish an up-tempo game.

“I’ve been doing that since forever, since I was little,” Ward said. “That’s just off of pure effort. Running takes no skill.”

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Ward also made his first two shots of the second half and finished 12 of 13.

Sandy Cohen III scored 22 points for Green Bay, which actually led 24-20 before a 27-4 run by Michigan State. The Phoenix (6-6) had only one timeout left by halftime, but nothing they tried was enough to slow the Spartans.

Michigan State (9-2) made its last seven shots of the first half to take a 64-35 lead.

“This is a hard game for us, because we play fast, they play fast, and they’re just faster,” Green Bay coach Linc Darner said. “But I thought the second half, our guys did a great job of battling and competing and staying respectable.”

at No. 24 Houston 68, St. Louis 64: Corey Davis Jr. hit the tiebreaking three-pointer with 29 seconds left and had 17 points in Cougars’ comeback victory.

Davis made three of five shots from three-point range and sank all six of his free throws. Armoni Brooks had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Galen Robinson Jr. added 13 for Houston (10-0) in its 23rd straight win at home.

Javon Bess had 17 points for St. Louis (7-3), Tramaine Isabell Jr. added 16, and Jordan Goodwin had 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Billikens 37 percent from the field.

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