Sports / NCAA basketball 12th-Ranked Spartans Open with Rout Down Chicago State behind Morgan's big night, Neitzel's 8 assists By Doug Sweeney, Newser Staff Posted Nov 14, 2007 12:23 AM CST Copied Michigan State's Kalin Lucas, left, looks to maneuver against Chicago State's David Holston during the first half of college men's basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (Associated Press) With an embarrassing exhibition loss to Grand Valley State behind them, No. 12 Michigan Spartans started their season with 86-53 rout of Chicago State. Sophomore forward Raymar Morgan scored a career-high 25 points and snagged 15 rebounds, while All-American Drew Neitzel scored all of his 12 from behind the arc and dished 8 assists, according to the AP. Chicago State led 18-17 at one point in the first half, but the Spartans closed the period on a 28-8 run. David Holston led the Cougars with 18 points and four 3-pointers. Chicago State’s coach, Benji Taylor, jokingly referenced former NFL head coach Denny Green when describing the Michigan State squad after the game: “‘They were who we thought they were.’ They’re very good.” (More NCAA basketball stories.) Report an error