EAST LANSING — Nick Ward went out. Cassius Winston stepped up.
Michigan State’s point guard scored 14 points in the first 3-plus minutes of the second half, including three straight 3-pointers, to lift the 11th-ranked Spartans to a 80-59 victory over Louisiana Monroe on Wednesday night at Breslin Center.
However, the win came with a loss for MSU (2-1).
Ward crashed to the floor with 12:12 left in the first half, slamming his fists against the court while laying inside the key under the basket. Ward popped himself off the floor and hobbled through the tunnel to the training room, unable to put weight on his right leg.