EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Keith Appling converted two 3-point plays during a 20-point run Wednesday that rallied No. 17 Michigan State to a wild 80-65 win over No. 15 Indiana.
The Spartans opened their Big Ten Conference season by knocking Indiana from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Michigan State led by as many as 18 points in the first half but Indiana cut the deficit to seven at the break and took a 54-45 advantage with 11:24 to play.
The Spartans (12-2) then ran off 20 consecutive points to win their 12th straight game. Michigan State lost its first two contests of the season to North Carolina and Duke, the first of those setbacks coming Nov. 11 on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson at San Diego.
Appling finished with 25 points, making 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 from the foul line. Derrick Nix contributed 14 points and Brandon Wood had 13.
Indiana (12-1) was led by Christian Watford with 26 points and nine rebounds.
The Hoosiers attempted 11 more field goals than did Michigan State, but made two fewer.
