Dec. 28, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State has one dress rehearsal left before beginning the Big Ten part of its schedule.

The 23rd-ranked Spartans will try to remain unbeaten at home when they meet North Carolina-Asheville on Wednesday.

Michigan State (7-2) has used a pair of wins over Pac-10 opponents to put together a four-game winning streak. The Spartans beat Stanford on Dec. 11 and posted a 76-64 win over UCLA on Dec. 21.

With Michigan State's Big Ten opener at Penn State looming on Jan. 5, Wednesday's game represents one final chance for preparation. The Spartans are 5-0 at the Breslin Center.

Paul Davis scored 18 points and Chris Hill added 15 as Michigan State's inside game overwhelmed UCLA. The Spartans finished with 28 points in the paint.

"In the second half, we got it inside and outside, then back inside," Davis said. "We have to do that every time so that we can use all of our weapons."

Michigan State had just 12 turnovers and improved to 6-0 when committing fewer miscues than its opponent. The Spartans also had 16 assists and are averaging 18.3 per game.

The improved teamwork has encouraged coach Tom Izzo, who was not happy with his team's play earlier this season.

"I think that we took a major step," Izzo said. "We played good, we didn't play great, but we still found a way to win against a team that I think you'll see will win a lot of games."

Freshman Drew Neitzel turned in a solid game by making all three of his shots for eight points off the bench. Michigan State's bench outscored its opponents' reserves for the seventh time this season.

North Carolina-Asheville (3-6) is starting a two-game road trip against Big Ten foes. The Bulldogs face Michigan on New Year's Eve.

"This week we'll be tested by two very good teams," UNC-Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach said. "Michigan State plays excellent defense and is one of the top teams in the country once again this season. Tom Izzo has one of the top programs in the country. They are very tough to play at home."

Bryan McCullough and Steven Rush each scored 15 points as UNC-Asheville had its two-game winning streak snapped with a 64-52 loss at Charlotte on Dec. 19. The Bulldogs fell into an early 14-2 hole and never got closer than eight points in the second half.

McCullough, who has come off the bench all season, is averaging team highs of 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Michigan State is 3-0 all-time against UNC-Asheville, including a 66-52 win to open the 2002-03 season.