The Michigan State Spartans secured a decisive 106-72 victory over Northern Iowa on Friday at the Breslin Center.
The team set a program record by hitting 18 3-pointers on 37 attempts throughout the contest, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Freshman Jasiah Jervis led the offensive charge, scoring 20 points and sinking five shots from beyond the arc.
The backcourt duo of Jervis and Jeremy Fears Jr. combined for 44 total points to help the Spartans maintain control of the game, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Despite the high scoring, the game featured a physical style of play that resulted in numerous fouls.
Officials called 33 fouls in the first half alone, forcing the Spartans to navigate a rotation where seven players recorded two fouls before the break.
The coaching staff noted that the team must improve its defensive discipline to avoid similar issues against future opponents, per the outlet’s game analysis.
Junior Kur Teng also contributed to the perimeter effort, hitting two of his seven 3-point attempts while playing 17 minutes off the bench.
Teng, who has been working to regain his rhythm following offseason foot surgery, is now shooting 6-for-16 from deep this season.
Analysts suggest that while his role has shifted, his ability to provide reliable shooting remains a vital asset for the team’s depth, according to the Lansing State Journal.
The Spartans established an early 19-2 lead, though Northern Iowa managed to keep the score competitive for a stretch during the second half.
Ultimately, Michigan State’s ability to capitalize on outside shots proved too much for the Panthers to overcome.
This victory follows a wire-to-wire win against Duke earlier in the week, marking a strong start to the season for the Spartans, as noted by Yahoo Sports.
The team continues to demonstrate that perimeter shooting will be a significant strength throughout the year.