Appling scores 19 points, No. 15 Michigan State beats Louisiana-Lafayette 63-60
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.