Sports

Appling's 27 points lead No. 1 MSU to 87-76 win over Oklahoma in Coaches vs. Cancer Classic

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, left, talks to Gary Harris (14) during the first half of the championship game against the Oklahoma in the Coaches vs. Cancer NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

Michigan State's Keith Appling (11) drives past Oklahoma's Jordan Woodard (10) during the first half of the championship game in the Coaches vs. Cancer NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (The Associated Press)

Keith Appling scored 27 points and No. 1 Michigan State had all it could handle from Oklahoma before pulling away in the final minutes for an 87-76 victory Saturday night in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Appling, who was 8 of 12 from the field, scored eight points in the final 3:04 after the Sooners got within 75-71.

It was another unimpressive win for the Spartans (6-0) since their victory over then-No. 1 Kentucky moved them up one spot to the top of the poll.

Gary Harris had 21 points and Branden Dawson added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans, who shot 50 percent from the field (29 of 58) but they were 6 of 19 from 3-point range and 23 of 36 from the free throw line and committed 14 turnovers.

Cameron Clark had a career-high 32 points for Oklahoma.