PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Freshman Miles Bridges had 22 points and a season-high 15 rebounds to help No. 24 Michigan State pull away late from St. John’s for a 73-62 victory Wednesday night in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Eron Harris added 14 points for the Spartans (3-2), who used a 17-4 burst midway through the second half to take control and build a 67-53 lead with about 2 1/2 minutes left.
In addition, Tum Tum Nairn Jr., a native of nearby Nassau, matched his career high of 13 points in his return to the Bahamas. And freshman forward Nick Ward provided some needed help for a thin front line with nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds to help the Spartans dominate the glass.
Marcus LoVett scored 20 points to lead the Red Storm (2-2), who shot around 31 percent and couldn’t answer Michigan State’s clinching push.
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