03/19/26 05:49:00
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03/19 17:47 CDT Carson Cooper's 20 points, 10 rebounds power Michigan State to
92-67 win over North Dakota State
Carson Cooper's 20 points, 10 rebounds power Michigan State to 92-67 win over
North Dakota State
By JONAH BRONSTEIN
Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) --- Carson Cooper matched his career-high with 20 points and
grabbed 10 rebounds as Michigan State routed North Dakota State 92-67 on
Thursday to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in
28 consecutive appearances under coach Tom Izzo.
Coen Carr added 17 points for the third-seeded Spartans. Cam Ward scored 13
points and Kaxon Kohler had 12 points and nine rebounds. Leading scorer Jeremy
Fears Jr. managed only seven points, but had 11 assists, exceeding his season
average of 9.2 that ranks first in the country.
Michigan State (26-7) advances to play Louisville (24-10) in the second round
Saturday after the No. 6 seed in the Midwest held on to beat South Florida
83-79. It will be the fifth NCAA Tournament matchup between the schools and
first since 2015, when the Spartans beat the Cardinal in overtime to reach the
Final Four.
Damari Wheeler-Thomas scored 16 points to lead 14th-seeded North Dakota State
(27-8). The Summit League champions qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the
sixth time in 18 seasons and first since the 2020 tournament that was canceled.
The Spartans shot 59% against the undersized Bison, scoring 44 points in the
paint, with eight dunks. Michigan State shot 10 for 20 from 3-point range,
while North Dakota State finished 6 for 25 from long distance.
North Dakota State opened an early 8-5 lead before going more than six minutes
without a field goal. Michigan State took command with an 18-2 run. The
Spartans extended their lead with a 10-point run and led 45-25 at halftime.
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and
coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
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