EAST LANSING - Michigan State survived the opening week of the season unscathed but not without being pushed.
Niagara jumped out to an early lead and punched back in the second half before the Spartans pulled away for a 96-60 win at the Breslin Center on Thursday night.
Although Michigan State's 3-point shooting struggles continued, it used a somewhat similar blueprint as Monday's win against Monmouth by getting to the rim and using its superior depth.
In addition to outscoring the Purple Eagles 52-20 in the paint, the Spartans (2-0) had a 56-18 advantage in bench points. Jaxon Kohler posted career highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds while freshman Jase Richardson (12 points) and Tre Holloman (11) also gave the team a lift as subs.
Michigan State finished with 11 different scorers, including five in double figures as Frankie Fidler (11) and Jaden Akins (10) joined the group. Jeremy Fears finished with seven points and a game-high eight assists.
Niagara (1-1), which underwent a complete offseason roster overhaul, doesn't have a single player on the roster who got on the floor last season. That didn't prevent the visitors from providing a challenge and knocking down nine 3-pointers, although seven came in the first half.
Olumide Adelodun led the Purple Eagles with 13 points, Jahari Williamson scored 12 and Jhaylon Martinez 10 before fouling out.
After finishing only 3-for-18 from 3-point range in Monday's season-opening and wire-to-wire win against Monmouth, Michigan State's outside shooting woes continued early Thursday night. The Spartans missed their first three attempts from beyond the arc while Niagara hit three straight to take an early 9-2 lead.
Michigan State responded with a 14-1 run and made eight straight field goals at one point to establish a double-digit advantage. The Purple Eagles didn't fade and knocked down seven 3-pointers in the opening half while taking advantage of missed layups by the Spartans, who took a 46-39 lead into the locker room.
Niagara picked up where it left off to open the second half with another triple and an open dunk to pull within three. The Spartans answered with an 11-0 run and the Purple Eagles didn't get within single digits the rest of the way. Michigan State was also more active on the offensive glass in the second half and finished with a 21-3 advantage in second-chance points.
That concludes a pair of home warmup games for the Spartans with a major test next. They face No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in Atlanta.