EAST LANSING, Mich. – Keith Appling scored 19 points to help sluggish Michigan State survive a scare and beat Louisiana-Lafayette 63-60 on Sunday.
Appling, who has scored at least 17 points in every game except one this season, was 4 for 11 from the field. But he made other plays at key times, hitting 10 free throws and adding six rebounds and five assists for the No. 15 Spartans (5-1).
He also had help from several teammates. Branden Dawson scored 11 points and Brandan Kearney 10 off the bench. Adreian Payne had 10 rebounds.
Elfrid Payton had 20 points for the Ragin' Cajuns (2-4). Shawn Long added 16 points, and Kevin Brown had 14. But Louisiana-Lafayette shot just 11 of 21 from the line, which may have cost it a major upset.
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