Michigan State Enjoys First Victory at No. 1

In its first game since replacing Duke at No. 1, Michigan State got 21 points and nine rebounds from Jason Richardson and matched its best start by beating Bowling Green, 85-69, Wednesday night in the Palace of Auburn Hills’ Holiday Classic at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“I don’t think being No. 1 adds any to the pressure on us,” Richardson said. “We still have to play just as hard as we did before. Being No. 1 doesn’t help you at all.”

Charlie Bell added 18 points, and David Thomas matched his career high with 12 points and added nine rebounds for Michigan State (10-0).

Brandon Pardon led Bowling Green (4-5) with 19 points, and Trent Jackson added 14.

“I told our kids before the game that if they didn’t come to play, Michigan State would kick their butts,” Bowling Green Coach Dan Dakich said. “We knew that we could lose this game by 40 or 50 if we weren’t ready, so I’m really proud of how well we played.”

No. 11 Seton Hall 85, Hartford 67--Eddie Griffin scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots as the Pirates pulled away in the second half at East Rutherford, N.J.

Leading 45-34 at the half, the Pirates (8-2) opened the second half by outscoring the Hawks, 15-8, to put Hartford (2-7) away.

No. 18 Maryland 117, Chicago St. 55--The Terrapins scored the opening 22 points and six players reached double figures at College Park, Md., in the seventh-most lopsided victory in school history.

Juan Dixon had 24 points and Lonny Baxter 21 to lead the Terrapins (8-3) to their 75th consecutive nonconference home win, the longest such streak in the nation. Maryland led, 62-23, at halftime.

Tony Jones scored 12 for the Cougars (3-7), who had 27 turnovers.

SOUTHLAND

Cal State Northridge 96, Vanguard 51--Brian Heinle scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the first half and had 12 rebounds, as the Matadors, playing its first home game since Dec. 7, ended a three-game losing streak in its final nonconference game of the season.

Northridge (7-6) built a 40-20 halftime lead and extended it against the Lions (3-6) during a fast-paced second half.

Northridge’s margin of victory was its largest since a 117-65 victory over Cal State Sacramento in February 1998.

Heinle, a 6-foot-9 senior center, scored eight of the Matadors’ first 11 points, including two three-point baskets in the first three minutes. Heinle finished with three three-pointers, taking a seat for good with 9:31 to play.