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Ragin’ Cajuns’ rally falls short

Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton (2) shoots against Michigan State guard Keith Appling (11) during the first half of Sunday’s game in East Lansing, Mich. Payton led Louisiana-Lafayette with 20 points, while Appling had 19 for Michigan State. Michigan State won 63-60.
Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton (2) shoots against Michigan State guard Keith Appling (11) during the first half of Sunday’s game in East Lansing, Mich. Payton led Louisiana-Lafayette with 20 points, while Appling had 19 for Michigan State. Michigan State won 63-60.

— Louisiana-Lafayette had too many missed free throws in its bid for a major upset on the road against No. 15 Michigan State.

The Ragin’ Cajuns lost 63-60 on Sunday. Shawn Long missed on a drive and Elfrid Payton missed a contested three-pointer in the closing seconds that would have tied it.

“We wanted to go for 3,” Coach Bob Marlin said. “It happened quickly. We were out of timeouts. I wish I’d had one in my back pocket.”

Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo is getting tired of his team’s generous nature and giving spirit over the holidays. The Spartans (5-1) committed 20 turnovers, 14 in the second half, and Louisiana-Lafayette nearly overcame a 10-point deficit.

“I think our guys are going to be great citizens when they get done with basketball, because the Christmas season is lasting all year,” Izzo said. “They’re giving gifts away.

“Give them a lot of credit - I thought they played harder than we played. But I can’t give anybody credit for some of those. It’s undisciplined and inexcusable.”

Keith Appling scored 19 points and helped his team hang on for its fifth consecutive victory. Appling, who has scored at least 17 points in every game except one this season, was 4 for 11 from the field. But he made other plays at key times, hitting 10 free throws and adding six rebounds and five assists.

Appling did have help from several teammates. Branden Dawson had 11 points and Brandan Kearney scored a career-high 10 off the bench. Adreian Payne had 10 rebounds.

Payton had 20 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns (2-4). Long added 16 points, all but two coming in the first 10:03 of the game, and Kevin Brown had 14 points.

“Most teams won’t have a big man who can step out to the perimeter and guard me, so I tried to exploit that early,” Long said. “I think I did a good job. Later, I rushed some shots. I should have slowed down a little bit.”

Louisiana-Lafayette made just 11 of 21 from the free throw line.

“It means a lot that we were able to do this,” Long said of the missed opportunity. “We have a lot of young guys on the team. I’m a freshman and our point guard only a sophomore. If we keep this up, we might be ranked next season.”

Appling’s two free throws put the Spartans up 60-50 with 3:09 left. But more Michigan State’s miscues kept the outcome in doubt.

Brown hit a three-pointer with 1:42 left to pull the Ragin’ Cajuns within four. His put back after another turnover cut the deficit to 62-60 with 56.3 seconds remaining.

Michigan State led 33-27 at halftime behind eight points from Kearney, one more than his previous career high. But with several chances to blow the game open, turnovers became a major issue again.

The Spartans have won 65 of their last 66 nonconference home games and haven’t lost at home in November since a defeat by David Robinson-led Navy 26 years ago.

NO. 1 INDIANA 101, BALL STATE 53

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Will Sheehey scored 19 points to help No. 1 Indiana defeat Ball State.

Jordan Hulls scored 17 points, Cody Zeller scored 15 and Christian Watford had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Hoosiers (6-0).

It was Indiana’s largest victory margin in a 21-game series that began in 1934. The Hoosiers’ previous largest victory margin against the Cardinals was 43 points in 1946 and 1983.

NO. 6 SYRACUSE 87, COLGATE 51

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - James Southerland scored 18 points, Michael Carter-Williams had eight points and a career high 13 assists, and No. 6 Syracuse beat Colgate.

It was the 165th meeting between the upstate New York foes, and the Orange (4-0) won their 47th consecutive against Colgate (3-4).

Brandon Triche finished with 15 points, freshman Dajuan Coleman had a career high 12 points, and Rakeem Christmas had 10 points and nine rebounds for the Orange.

CAL POLY 70, NO. 11 UCLA 68

LOS ANGELES - Dylan Royer scored 18 points and Kyle Odister came off the bench and added 15 points, including the game-winning free throws and Cal Poly upset No. 11 UCLA.

Chris Eversley had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs (2-2), who erased an 18-point deficit in the second half and earned their first victory against UCLA in six tries.

Down 51-33, Cal Poly went on a 34-14 run.

Eversley tipped in a miss for a 67-65 lead and Cal Poly didn’t trail the rest of the way.

Odister made free throws for a 68-65 lead and 70-68 edge with 14.2 seconds remaining.

Jordan Adams missed a three-point attempt and time expired for the Bruins (4-2), who needed overtime to defeat another Big West opponent, California-Irvine, earlier this month.

UCLA made only one field goal in the final three minutes, on Adams’ layup underneath to tie it 68.

Freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad led UCLA with 15 points and 10 rebounds in his debut at Pauley Pavilion. Travis Wear had 14 points and Adams scored 13.

NO. 17 GONZAGA 81, DAVIDSON 67

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Elias Harris scored 24 points, Kevin Pangos added 23 and No. 17 Gonzaga beat Davidson in the Old Spice Classic championship game.

Kelly Olynyk added 14 points for Gonzaga (6-0), which also won the 2008 Old Spice Classic. The Bulldogs are undefeated in six overall games at the tourney.

Davidson (3-3) got 17 points from Nik Cochran. Jake Cohen had 13 and De’Mon Brooks finished with 12.

NO. 20 OKLAHOMA ST. 81, PORTLAND ST. 58

STILLWATER, Okla. - Markel Brown scored a season-high 23 points, Le’Bryan Nash added 20 and No. 20 Oklahoma State cruised to a victory over Portland State.

Phil Forte chipped in 15 points and Marcus Smart had eight points and nine assists, the third-most for a freshman in Cowboys’ history.

Renado Parker and Michael Harthun led the Vikings (1-3) with 12 points apiece.

NO. 21 CONNECTICUT 73, STONY BROOK 62

STORRS, Conn. - Niels Giffey had a career-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help No. 21 Connecticut rally for a victory over Stony Brook.

Shabazz Napier had 15 of his 19 points in the second half for UConn (5-1), and Omar Calhoun added 14.

Dave Coley led Stony Brook (4-2) with 15 points and Tommy Brenton added 14.

NO. 23 COLORADO 89, AIR FORCE 74

BOULDER, Colo. - Freshman Josh Scott helped break open a tight game by scoring 13 of his 20 points in the second half, and No. 23 Colorado handed Air Force its first loss of the season.

Andre Roberson had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker added 15 points apiece for Colorado (5-0), which is off to its best start since also opening 5-0 in 1989-1990.

The Buffaloes improved to 9-1 at home against Air Force (5-1), which fell one victory shy of matching its only 6-0 start in 1982-1983.

Michael Lyons scored 20 points for the Falcons, who fell to 2-76 when playing ranked opponents. Todd Fletcher matched his career high with 18 points.SEC WOMEN

NO. 9 KENTUCKY 100, SO. CAROLINA UPSTATE 34

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A’dia Mathies scored 17 points, Samarie Walker added 13 and No. 9 Kentucky forced 38 turnovers in a blowout of South Carolina Upstate.

DeNesha Stallworth added 11 points and Janee Thompson had 10 for the Wildcats (4-1), who shot 50 percent in winning their 24th consecutive home game.

Bria Goss and Azia Bishop led Kentucky with six rebounds. Walker had three blocks.

Every player scored for the Wildcats, who shot 12 of 30 from three-point range in breaking 100 points for the first time this season.

Valese McAllister scored nine points to lead USC Upstate (2-5), which was close in the opening minutes before being overwhelmed by Kentucky’s defense. The Spartans shot just 26 percent and were out rebounded 42-33.

Sports, Pages 18 on 11/26/2012

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