Shabazz Napier scored 25 points as the Connecticut Huskies started off the Kevin Ollie era with a 66-62 upset over No. 14 Michigan State at Ramstein Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany. The Huskies were efficient the entire game, shooting 46 percent, including 43 percent on 6-14 from the three-point line, while a sound defensive effort held Michigan State to under 40 percent shooting.
Connecticut took control of the game from the get go, starting the game with a 6-0 lead and leading by as many as 15 at the 5:54 mark of the first half. However, foreshadowing the second half, Connecticut would go cold as Michigan State ended the half on a 12-4 run to pull the Spartans to within seven at the half. It wouldn't take long for Michigan State to capitalize on that momentum, taking its first lead of the game five minutes into the second half. Connecticut was able to recoup, quickly taking back a one-point lead. The game would remain tight in the second half, but Connecticut would never trail again, maintaining a 1-4 point lead throughout the rest of the contest.
Napier led the Huskies with 25 points on 8-16 shooting, while Ryan Boatright added 13 and DeAndre Daniels 12. For Michigan State, Keith Appling led the way with 17 points, with Branden Dawson chipping in 15 and Gary Harris 12.
The game was the first for Connecticut since the retirement of longtime coach Jim Calhoun. It next takes the court on Nov. 13 against Vermont.
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