Michigan State University
Duke (Champions Classic)
Spartans Fall to No. 4 Duke in Indianapolis, 81-71
11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Branden Dawson scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, but the Spartans fell to Duke 81-71 in Tuesday's State Farm Champions Classic.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo believes his team will get better in time.
He just has to be patient, stick to the game plan and survive some of the growing pains the Spartans endured Tuesday night.
"It's hard to judge my team until I get my guards back, but I'll probably take away more positive than negative," Izzo said. "I love this tournament. I think it's great for college basketball and then next time we play in it, we'll be a much better basketball team. I can promise you that."
Quinn Cook scored 19 points and Jahlil Okafor had 17 for Duke.
He's hoping they're good enough by April to return to Indianapolis, the site of this year's Final Four, and perhaps a rematch with the Blue Devils (3-0).
Travis Trice added 15 points, with six rebounds and eight assists, but the Spartans (1-1) couldn't get enough stops and struggled to contain freshman Jahlil Okafor.
The Spartans closed to 51-48 with 12:19 remaining, but Tyus Jones scored all of the points in a 6-0 run as Duke pushed the lead to 64-51 and the Spartans never got close again.
Michigan State shot 50% from the field, and 25% from three-point land.
The Spartans host Loyola (Ill.) in its home opener on Friday.
