EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – It took a strong second half for Michigan State as they pulled away from Grand Valley State University, 73-56, in an exhibition game. MSU was trailing, 36-31, at the half before outscoring the Lakers, 42-20, in the second half. Five players scored in double figures.

Malik Hall led the way with 15 points and three rebounds as A.J. Hoggard added 14 points and five assists. Mady Sissoko posted 11 points and six rebounds as Tyson Walker gave MSU 12 points and six steals and Joey Houser had 10 points.  MSU finished shooting 47.3% from the floor, 34.8% from the line and only 61.9% from the stripe. They barely out rebounded GVSU, 39-37, and forced 17 turnovers recording 13 steals.

“We have our work cut out for us. It’s back to the lab for us to see if we can get our guys to play harder. GVSU played harder than us tonight. We need to see if we can get our guys to player harder and guard a little better. I also didn’t think our fast break looked good. Our ball movement wasn’t very good,” says head coach Tom Izzo.

GVSU held a three-point lead, 40-37, with 16:51 to go in the game but then the MSU defense held them to just 16 points the rest of the way. MSU responded with a 10-0 run to take a 47-40 lead as Jaxon Kohler gave the seven point lead. With 11:24 to go, Hall canned a three-pointer for a 52-44 lead keeping their distance now from GVSU. Hoggard made it a 12-point lead by the 8:02 mark on a three-pointer, 59-47. MSU’s biggest lead didn’t come until the 3:30 mark when Hall hit another three-pointer for a 71-52 lead. The Spartans then scored just two points in the final three minutes for a 73-56 final.

They will host Northern Arizona on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7:00 p.m., in the Breslin Center.