Michigan State taken down by Virginia Tech in Maui Invitational opener

It wasn't all sunshine for the Michigan State Spartans basketball team on Monday night.

The Virginia Tech Hokies improved to 6-0 on the season after staving off a furious Spartan rally in the second half to win by a 71-66 final in the opener of the Maui Invitational. Freshman Landers Nolley II scored 22 points to lead the Hokies.

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The Spartans were able to get back to within a point late after trailing by 10, but didn't get any closer. Cassius Winston got into foul trouble and scored just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting. Aaron Henry led the way 18 points and five rebounds. Xavier Tillman had nine points and 14 rebounds.

16 turnovers especially hurt the Spartans, which the Hokies used to score 20 points; Michigan State countered with only four points of their own off turnovers.

With the loss, the Spartans dropped to 3-2 on the year. They'll next take on Georgia on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.