Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 13 points and added 11 assists and Coen Carr added 12 points and eight rebounds Monday night as No. 6 Michigan State opened its season with a 96-59 victory over Quinnipiac in East Lansing, Mich.
Six players scored in double figures for the Spartans, who improved to 24-8 in season openers under coach Tom Izzo. Anton Bonke, Jordan Scott, Kur Teng and Kaleb Glenn each scored 11 points for Michigan State.
Michigan State was without forward Jesse McCulloch, who is expected to see significant time at center this season, after he suffered a minor concussion when he was hit in the head during practice.
Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton scored 11 points and Nate Guerengomba added 10 for the Bobcats, who lost four starters to transfers while a fifth awaits a decision on an additional year of eligibility. Quinnipiac has eight newcomers on its roster this season.
Michigan State never trailed, taking control early with a 15-2 run that gave the Spartans a 20-6 lead. They stretched the margin to 52-24, their largest of the half, on a layup by Fears just before the halftime buzzer.
Quinnipiac struggled to find its rhythm against Michigan State’s defense, turning the ball over and having several shots blocked.
The Spartans dominated the first half, outrebounding Quinnipiac 28-13 and holding the Bobcats to 8-of-28 shooting while blocking five shots. Ten Michigan State players scored before halftime.
The Spartans shot 58.1% for the game and were 9 of 23 from 3-point range. The Bobcats shot 35.7% and were 6 of 21 from behind the arc.
Quinnipiac scored 12 of the first 16 points in the second half to pull within 20 but Michigan State responded and led by as many as 40 points.
The margin of victory was the largest the Spartans have had in an opener since 2013 when they beat McNeese State by 42.
It was the first matchup between the schools and only the third time Quinnipiac has faced a Big Ten team. The Bobcats also lost the previous two games.