NCAA tournament: No. 5 Michigan State holds off No. 12 New Mexico State, 70-67

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Kalin Lucas scored a career-high 25 points and Raymar Morgan emerged from a quiet night by hitting key shots down the stretch as fifth-seeded Michigan State edged No. 12 New Mexico State, 70-67, tonight in the first round of the NCAA tournament Midwest Regional game in Spokane, Wash.

Morgan broke a late tie with four straight points, then made two free throws with 18.6 seconds remaining with the aid of a lane-violation call.

Still, it was an uneven game for the Spartans (25-8), a microcosm of their at-times dazzling, other times dumbfounding season following a loss to North Carolina in last year’s national championship game.

Troy Gillenwater scored 17 points, including a three-pointer with 18.6 seconds left that got New Mexico State (22-12) within 68-67. Jonathan Gibson added 16.

-- Associated Press

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