NEW YORK (AP) -- Freshman Malik Monk scored 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting from 3-point range, and Isaiah Briscoe added 21 to lead No. 2 Kentucky to a 69-48 victory over No. 13 Michigan State on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats (3-0) averaged 90 points in their first two games but this time it was defense that did it as the Spartans (0-2) shot 32.8 percent from the field (20 of 61) including 5 for 26 (19.2 percent) from beyond the arc.
Relying on another talented freshman class, Kentucky was able to up the tempo enough and keep the tenacious defense going that the Spartans committed 21 turnovers which the Wildcats turned into 24 points.
Kenny Goins and Cassius Winston led the Spartans with nine points each. Freshman Miles Bridges was held to six points on 2-for-11 shooting but he grabbed 12 rebounds.
