Tribune News Services
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Durrell Summers scored all but one of his 13 points in the first half and Kalin Lucas had 11 of his 14 in the second, helping No. 7 Michigan State hold off Minnesota for a 60-53 win.
The Spartans (14-3, 4-0 Big Ten) moved into a first-place tie with Illinois in the conference and will host the Fighting Illini on Saturday.
Lawrence Westbrook had 15 points and Damian Johnson scored 14 for the Golden Gophers (12-5, 3-2).
Michigan State built some double-digit leads early in the second half, but Westbrook scored 10 straight points to give Minnesota comeback hopes. The Gophers pulled within three with 3 minutes to go when Ralph Sampson III tipped in a putback, then the Spartans made the shots and stops to seal the win.
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Yeah MSU "tied with Illinois" until the Spartans administer a beatdown of epic proportions on the Illini.
Be ready!
Illinois has played the bottom of the big ten to be undefeated. It won't even be close on East Lansing. The Illini aren't even in the same "league" even though they are in the same league. Prediction 20 point defeat!