FORT MYERS,Fla. – No. 11 Michigan State dominated East Carolina, 89-56, Wednesday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, fueled by a career performance from sophomore guard Divine Ugochukwu and efficient shooting. The Spartans improved to 5-1 on the season, continuing their strong start as they prepare for a challenging matchup against North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day.
Ugochukwu led the charge with a career-high 16 points, marking his fourth double-figure scoring game overall. The Spartans’ victory was a team effort, highlighted by shooting 52.6 percent from the field and holding East Carolina to under 40 percent. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler also contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr.dished out a game-high nine assists.
Michigan State’s offense proved too much for east Carolina to handle,as four Spartans scored in double figures. Kohler reached double digits for the sixth time this season and the 18th of his career, leading the team in rebounds for the third time this season and the 24th time in his career.Fears Jr. recorded his sixth game this season with at least nine assists, and has led the team in assists six times this year and 28 times in his career.
Junior forward Coen Carr added 13 points and four rebounds, reaching double figures for the fourth time this season and the 18th of his career. Senior center Carson Cooper chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds, scoring in double figures for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in his career, and leading the team in rebounding twice this season and 18 times in his career.
Michigan State will face North Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 4:30 p.m. on FOX in the second game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division. Adam Amin and Jim Jackson will be on the call.
