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Michigan State hangs on for 83-76 win over Detroit Mercy behind career-best 23 points from Rocket Watts

East Lansing – Perhaps Michigan State was still thinking about its win over Duke. Or, perhaps, Detroit Mercy is going to be a tough team to beat this season.

Whatever it was on Friday night at the Breslin Center, the Spartans needed everything they had to get past the Titans, rallying in the second half then holding on for an 83-76 victory.

Rocket Watts scored a career-high 23 to lead No. 8 Michigan State (4-0), which hadn’t played Detroit Mercy since 2001. Gabe Brown scored 16 for the Spartans while Aaron Henry had 12 points and 10 rebounds with Joey Hauser chipping in 10 points.