Michigan State University
Montana (Great Alaska Shootout)
No. 9 Michigan State Advances In Alaska
11/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov 28, 2002
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Adam Ballinger need a little time to get warmed up for Michigan State.
After missing his only field-goal attempt in the first half, Ballinger scored the first nine points of the second half as No. 9 Michigan State beat Montana 80-60 on Thursday night in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout.
Saddled with two fouls, Ballinger played just seven minutes in the first half. He ended up playing nine more in the second and made the most of it.
"Adam is one of our best shooters, but he's got to play more than 16 minutes," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "When he's ready to shoot, he's as good a shooter as we have on this team."
Ballinger was more modest, crediting his teammates with good passes that gave him good looks at the basket.
The Spartans held Montana without a field goal over nine-minute span at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half. The Grizzlies managed just three field goals in 19:30.
"I thought we did at times play great defense ... the best so far this year," Izzo said.
His only criticism was the Spartans' inability to handle dribble penetration.
"I've been a little disappointed in our inconsistency," Izzo said.
 | "Adam is one of our best shooters, but he's got to play more than 16 minutes. When he's ready to shoot, he's as good a shooter as we have on this team." - MSU coach Tom Izzo on Adam Ballinger |
Ballinger finished with 11 points. Chris Hill led the Spartans with 23 points and six assists. Freshman Kevin Criswell scored 16 points and Steve Horne added 14 for Montana (1-2).
After Montana scored the game's first field goal, Michigan State (2-0) went on a 16-1 run and led 16-3 after five minutes. Montana closed to 18-17 when the Spartans scored just one field goal over the next nine minutes.
Montana shot 34 percent and was outrebounded 35-18.
