Earlier this week, Michigan State made a late comeback against Wisconsin and won in overtime. Today against Northwestern, the game followed a similar script. A comeback from nine points down in the final two minutes wasn't needed, but the Spartans didn't tie things up until late in regulation just like the Wisconsin game. Also just like the Wisconsin game, the Spartans went to OT against Northwestern and ended up winning the game in the extra session. Today's score was 71-67 in favor of Michigan State, which improved to 12-5 on the season with the victory.
MSU did not shoot the ball all that well, but it got double-digit scoring performances out of Keith Appling, Kalin Lucas and Draymond Green. Appling led all scorers with 19 points. Lucas had 18 points and Green added 16 for the Spartans. Green also had eight rebounds and nailed all 10 of his free throw attempts.
Northwestern had three double-digit scorers as well. Drew Crawford netted 16 points, Luka Mirkovic had 10 points and Michael Thompson scored 15 points. JerShon Cobb was one point short of giving Northwestern four double-digit scorers.
Next up for Michigan State is a pair of road games against ranked teams. MSU will head to Illinois to play the No. 16 Fighting Illini on Tuesday, and next Saturday the Spartans will play at No. 8 Purdue.