No. 12 Michigan State overcomes strong 3-point shooting from Citadel in 69-56 victory

12th-ranked Spartans hold on to beat Citadel 69-56

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Kalin Lucas had 17 points and No. 12 Michigan State withstood Citadel’s hot three-point shooting in a 69-56 victory Monday night.

The Spartans (7-2) figured to have an easier time in their second trip South in less than a week. Michigan State fell at North Carolina 89-82 on Dec. 1.

But the Spartans didn’t count on the Bulldogs’ long-range threat. Citadel (6-5) made its first seven 3s and finished 12 of 20 for the game.

Michigan State, however, held the Bulldogs to two baskets over the last eight minutes to pull away.

Cameron Wells had 16 points to lead Citadel, which fell to 0-34 all-time against ranked opponents.

Raymar Morgan had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans, who have won all three games they’ve played against the Bulldogs.

Not that it was easy.

Zach Urbanus’ basket with 8:16 left pulled Citadel to 56-51 and looked to set up a tight finish.

Korie Lucious came back with a three for Michigan State, and Morgan put back Chris Allen’s miss to make it 61-51.

Citadel could not answer.

The Bulldogs hadn’t hosted a ranked team from a power conference since Tim Duncan and then-No. 3 Wake Forest won 86-52 on Nov. 25, 1996.

With Michigan State, the Bulldogs pulled out as many stops as they could. Coach Ed Conroy’s famous cousin, author Pat Conroy, signed copies of his latest novel, “South of Broad,” before the game. Pat’s jersey from his Citadel playing days, a subject of his 2002 memoir “My Losing Season,” was raffled off to fans.

The school’s Corps of Cadets filled the stands surrounding the tunnel to Michigan State’s locker room and loudly taunted the Spartans throughout.

Then it was the Bulldogs’ turn to rattle Michigan State.

The Citadel, a so-so 35 percent on 3-pointers coming in, hit its first seven tries — including four in a row — from behind the line.

Still, the Spartans looked on their way to taking control, ahead 35-29 on Chris Allen’s jumper with 3:22 to go before the half.

But Wells finished a three-point play and Urbanus hit the Bulldogs’ eighth 3 of the half to tie it.

Several hundred green-shirted Michigan State fans, expecting an easy blowout, instead stood nervously for much of the period as the Citadel kept it close.

Austin Thornton’s putback sent Michigan State to the break with a 40-36 lead.