Michigan State Outscores Oakland, 92-75

Jan. 29, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Maurice Ager scored 22 points and No. 15 Michigan State pulled away in the second half to beat Oakland (Mich.) 92-75 on Saturday night in its final tuneup for Tuesday's Big Ten showdown with top-ranked Illinois.

Shannon Brown, Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert each had 13 points for the Spartans (14-3), who have won 11 of their last 12 and all 10 home games this season.

Cortney Scott, a Lansing native, scored 19 points and Rawle Marshall added 16 for the Golden Grizzlies (5-13), who have lost eight games against teams from bigger conferences, including an 85-54 defeat against Illinois.

Michigan State played without center Paul Davis, who rested his sprained left ankle as a precaution but should be fine to face the unbeaten Illini.

The Spartans led just 40-35 in the last minute of the first half but finished the period with a 3-pointer from Torbert and went on a 15-2 run to start the second half.

Oakland was only 14-for-28 from the foul line but kept the score respectable with 59.1 percent shooting from the field in the second half.

It was the first time Michigan State allowed more than 64 points since Dec. 4.