East Lansing, MI — Russell Byrd poured in 22 points in his return to Michigan State Monday evening as The Master’s College sparkled early in a 97-56 exhibition loss to the Spartans before a capacity crowd in the Breslin Center.

In an emotional and classy moment before tip-off, Byrd, who spent the last four years (three years on the court) in the MSU program before transferring to TMC for his final year of eligibility, was allowed to kiss the Spartan logo at center court, a privilege reserved only for the club’s seniors.

That recognition energized Byrd who drained the game’s first three points 1:40 into play, triggering a long-range assault over the next three-plus minutes as the Mustangs scored their first dozen points, which led to a 12-6 lead, from behind the arc.  Reid Shackelford (Murrieta, CA) followed Byrd’s trifecta with three consecutive treys of his own, leading to the club’s first six-point advantage of the half.  The other similar margin (14-8) came with 15:09 left in the half on a Byrd layup.

However, that was as large a lead as the Mustangs enjoyed as the Spartans woke up, ripping off seven consecutive points to bolt in front for the first time.  A Chris Patureau (Houston, TX) three-pointer stopped the skein and put the Mustangs back in front and when Harrison White (Winston-Salem, NC) laid one in off the glass with 12:09 remaining in the stanza, the Mustangs had a 19-15 lead.

That advantage lasted all of one minute as the Spartans roared back, eventually tearing off a 9-0 run in a 2:27 window to go ahead for good.  It was the beginning of a decisive 36-2 run that led to a 51-24 lead at the break.  Fittingly, the Mustangs ended the half where they began it as Patureau buried a three-pointer for the half’s final tally.

Over the opening 20 minutes, the Mustangs, paced by eight points from Patureau, connected on 27% (9-33) of their shots from the field while the Spartans converted at a 54% (20-37) clip.

Although the outcome was never in doubt in the second half, there were a couple of highlights for the Mustangs, including a 3:03 stretch where Byrd poured in 14 consecutive points, 12 of those coming on a quartet of shots from behind the arc.  The last of those threes drew the Mustangs within 67-40 with 12:09 left to play.

Then, in the game’s final minutes, Byrd drained his sixth (6-19 from behind the arc) and final three-pointer of the evening and Shackelford, who went 4-8 from three-point country, tossed in his final trey.

Speaking of his return to Michigan State for the game, Byrd said, “Just want to say that tonight was just really special.  I’m just thankful to be back with the program, especially Coach (Tom) Izzo, the fans, the guys and everybody.”

The Mustangs wound up shooting just under 29% (20-70) for the evening while the Spartans finished at 50% (38-76).  Shackelford and Patureau joined Byrd in double figures with 12 points apiece.

Mustang coach Ken Sugarman was generous in his praise for the chance to play at Michigan State, saying, “I just want to thank Michigan State for extending this opportunity for my team to come out.  This was rich on a lot of levels.  I couldn’t think of a more professional place.  Everyone has treated us with such kindness.  It was a great opportunity for us.”

Now, with all the hoopla of a high-visibility exhibition behind them, the Mustangs turn their attention to the west and Grand Rapids where they’ll face Aquinas College on Tuesday in their first regular-season game of the 2014-15 campaign.