Lucas leads way for the Spartans

Michigan State overcame a shaky start and lackluster stretch in the second half to earn a lopsided victory against the defending national champions.

Kalin Lucas continued his offensive surge, scoring 22 points to lead the eighth-ranked Spartans to a 75-62 win over the young Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.

Michigan State (13-2) has won nine straight since getting routed by North Carolina, 27 in a row at the Breslin Center over nearly two years and 39 straight against nonconference opponents at home since losing to Duke in 2003.

Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, the only current players who had an impact on last season’s national championship team, scored 25 and 14 points respectively for the Jayhawks (11-4), and reserve Tyrel Reed had 10 points.

Michigan State’s Raymar Morgan had 13 points and eight rebounds and Travis Walton scored 11, complementing Lucas, who is averaging 20-plus points in the last four games.

“Morning, noon and night, I’ve been coming in to get a lot of shots up,” Lucas said. “I’ve just been shooting, shooting and shooting even before and after practice.”

The Spartans were sluggish early, falling behind 7-1 and 11-6, before taking over.

Lucas’ three-pointer started a 19-1 run and Walton’s jump shot ended it, putting Michigan State ahead 25-12. Kansas was scoreless for six-plus minutes and held without a field goal for 9 1/2 minutes during the pivotal period of the game.

Lucas ended the half with a left-handed runner to give the Spartans a 37-18 lead and the lighting-quick guard had 13 points at halftime.

Michigan State led by 20 midway through the second half, but Collins made a layup that made it 63-54 with 3:12 left. The Spartans sealed the win with free throws from Lucas, who dribbled in circles around the Jayhawks before they finally could foul him.