Defense, Solid Second-Half Push Spartans Past Streaking Badgers

The Michigan State Men’s Basketball Team played about 12 good minutes of basketball Sunday afternoon. Luckily for them, it was the last 12 minutes of regulation play. The Spartans (21-5, 11-3) used solid defense and a strong second half by Senior Goran Suton and Sophomore guard Kalin Lucas to overcome a 12 point Wisconsin lead with 12 ½ minutes left to play.

 

Lucas scored 17 points for the Big Ten leading Spartans, while Suton added 16 while also grabbing 10 boards. Chris Allen was the next highest scorer with 8, including a big three coming down the stretch to assist Michigan State on a 32-9 run to close out the game.

 

Coming into the game, Wisconsin had won 5 straight games after losing 6 in a row. After a start which saw Tom Herzog score the opening bucket for Michigan State in his first career starting opportunity, Wisconsin jumped out to an early lead and took advantage of Michigan State’s struggling offense, and a few questionable foul calls.

 

Saturday’s game took place in front of members of the Michigan State 1979 National Championship basketball team. Members of the squad-which included super star Earvin “Magic” Johnson- were honored during a halftime ceremony, and were presented with a crystal replica of the national championship trophy.

 

The win for the Spartans now puts them one step closer to the much sought after Big Ten regular season championship. After an Illinois victory over Ohio State, the Spartans remain two games ahead of the Illini, but still just one ahead of Purdue after they beat Indiana on Friday. Purdue’s next game is in Ann Arbor on Thursday night, while the Illini stay home against Minnesota on the same night. The Spartans will stay at home on Wednesday night against Iowa, but then hit the road for two games against Illinois and Indiana.