EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Keith Appling led a strong showing at the foul line Thursday that allowed No. 20 Michigan State to fight off Lehigh 90-81.
The Spartans led by only three points with 13 minutes to play, but slowly pulled away thanks to 32 successful free throws in 39 attempts.
Appling made all 12 of his tries from the line and led Michigan State with 19 points. He hit only 3-of-13 shots from the field.
Michigan State (11-2) lost its first two games of the season to North Carolina and Duke before running off 11 wins in a row.
Draymond Green added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans while Branden Dawson had 14 points and eight boards.
Lehigh (9-4), which had won its previous three games, was paced by 24 from Holden Greiner.
