EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Freshman Nick Ward scored a season-high 24 points and matched a season high with 10 rebounds in an attempt to make up for the loss of Miles Bridges, helping Michigan State hold off Oral Roberts for a 80-76 win Saturday night.
The Spartans (5-4) played for the first time without Bridges.
The Golden Eagles (1-7) were very competitive in a game that included 13 lead changes and six ties. They led by as many as seven points in the first half and had some leads early in the second half.