Michigan State Basketball: Nick Ward injury overshadows win over ULM

Michigan State basketball was able to overcome a strong first half from ULM, but an injury to Nick Ward overshadowed the victory.

It was an 80-59 victory for Michigan State over Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday night but the Spartans’ rout of the Warhawks was overshadowed by Nick Ward’s non-contact injury early in the first half.

Michigan State was limited on big men already as Kenny Goins, Kyle Ahrens, Xavier Tillman and Marcus Bingham Jr. were the only other forwards that have seen extended minutes this season. Without Ward, the Spartans were forced to play small ball, and they did just that, excelling in the second half thanks to a 23-point breakout by Cassius Winston.

The junior big man played just five minutes, scoring four points with three rebounds before going down, holding his leg and hobbling gingerly off the court.

Michigan State was able to run away with the win after taking a six-point lead into the half, smoking the Warhawks by 15 points in the second half and finally putting together a valiant defensive effort, holding an opponent under 60 points for the first time this season — actually first time the Spartans have held an opponent under 80 this year.

Following the game, Michigan State reported that the injury wasn’t serious and Ward would be “day-to-day”.

This is the best possible news for the Spartans who would have Tillman and Goins in the starting lineup in the post without Ward.

Even without the star big man, the Spartans out-rebounded ULM 51-37 thanks to Tillman’s 13 boards and Goins’ 15. Winston had five board to go along with four steals, three assists and — get this — no turnovers.

The Spartans improve to 2-1 on the season, putting together their second straight victory and overcoming a season-opening loss to Kansas.

On a night when Michigan State shot 6-of-29 from beyond the arc and 40 percent from the field, it still managed to reach 80 points and win by 21 over a Sun Belt contender. Not too shabby.