COL BKB: Mich. State 61, Marquette 49

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 15 (UPI) -- Raymar Morgan had 14 points and nine rebounds Thursday night as Michigan State beat Marquette, 61-49, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's East Region.

MSU had a 30-18 halftime lead, and led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

Marquise Gray and Drew Neitzel had 12 points and five rebounds apiece for the ninth-seeded Spartans (23-11), who have split their last four games.

Dominic James scored a game-high 18 points to lead Marquette, which played without star forward Jerel McNeal (knee injury).

Wesley Matthews had 10 points and six rebounds for the eighth-seeded Golden Eagles (24-10), who ended the season with two straight losses.