By GREG MENGELT
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State jumped out to an early lead and handed Kooper Jacobi and the Toledo Rockets an 81-68 defeat Saturday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Jacobi, a freshman and former Silver Creek star, scored 3 points in 13 minutes off the Toledo (6-2) bench. He was 1 for 4 from the floor and also had two rebounds and a steal.
Jacobi’s points came on a 3-point play early in the contest and gave Toledo an early 9-7 lead. The 22nd-ranked Spartans (7-2) outscored the Rockets 36-13 the rest of the first half for a 43-23 halftime edge.
Toledo got as close as 9 points — at 64-55 — after a jumper by junior forward Setric Milliner Jr. with 6:19 left. Sophomore guard Ryan Rolllins led the Rockets with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Milliner added 17 points and 6 boards.
Michigan State had five players in double figures, led by freshman guard Max Christie’s 14 points. The Spartans held Toledo to 4 of 24 (16.7 percent) from outside the 3-point arc.
Toledo’s next 10 games can be seen either at ESPN Plus or ESPN3. That stretch starts with a 7 p.m. tipoff Tuesday at home against Bradley. The Braves are 4-5 and are currently riding a 3-game winning streak. They beat SIU Edwardsville 80-55 on Saturday.
Jacobi and the Rockets can be seen taking on Bradley on ESPN Plus.