EAST LANSING – Michigan State men’s basketball accelerated past Niagara on Thursday, 96-60, with five players in double-digits. 

This was the first meeting between the two teams in program history. The Niagara team is an entirely new look with no returning members and 14 new members. 

“We got our work cut out, but it was a good game,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said post-game. 

Niagara came out in the first half hot off the tip-off. Senior forward Frankie Fidler put up the first points with a jumper, but the Purple Eagles responded with three straight threes. 

“I thought we were really average the first couple of minutes,” Izzo said. “Give them credit. They made those three threes right in a row.”

The Spartans had to play catch-up early on. They were able to pull within three with a dunk from senior guard Jaden Akins, an alley-oop from sophomore forward Coen Carr and a second-chance layup from junior forward Jaxon Kohler.

Akins tied it up at 11-11 with a shot from behind the arc. MSU took control of the lead with a layup from freshman guard Jase Richardson and held the lead for the rest of the half. 

Going into halftime the Spartans held a 46-39 lead over the Purple Eagles. Kohler led MSU in points (10) and rebounds (4). 

MSU outscored Niagara 50-21 in the second half. Four more Spartans also joined Kohler in the double-digit club: junior guard Tre Holloman (11), Akins (10), Richardson (12) and Fidler (11). 

Kohler stayed hot in the second half and had a career-high night in points, rebounds and recorded a double-double, ultimately finishing with 20 points and 13 rebounds. 

His former career highs were recorded in his freshman season (2022-23) against Rutgers on Jan.19 when he recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

“He was the best player I had all summer and he did some good things,” Izzo said on Kohler. “He did some really good things and he got to the line and that helped us get to the line.”

Up next, the Spartans will travel to Atlanta to take on No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic on Tuesday with the tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. at the State Farm Arena.