Austin Thornton scored 13 points and Michigan State won its second straight by trouncing visiting Arkansas-Little Rock 69-47 in the Spartan Invitational.

Keith Appling added 12 points as the Spartans (2-2) won their second straight after opening 0-2 for the first time in 35 years.

Will Neighbour had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Trojans (2-3), who shot just 31.5 percent.

Michigan State shot 41 free throws, making 25, while Arkansas-Little Rock was just 9 of 14 from the line.

Appling scored five points during an 8-0 run early in the second half as the Spartans opened up a 43-24 lead with 15:46 remaining.

The lead reached 24 points when Travis Trice drained a 3-pointer to make it 64-40 with 4:12 to play.

Arkansas-Little Rock played well late in the first half to cut Michigan State’s lead to 32-22 at intermission.