East Lansing, MI (Sports Network) - Kalin Lucas scored 25 points to lead the Michigan State Spartans to a 61-57 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten Showdown at the Breslin Center.
Keith Appling added nine points and five rebounds in relief for the Spartans (15-11, 7-7 Big Ten).
Demetri McCamey scored 15 points to pace Illinois (17-10, 7-7), while Mike Davis added 14 points and Brandon Paul finished with 12 points.
Illinois took a slim 26-25 lead into the break, as it held Michigan State to just 30.8 percent first half shooting.
With the score tied at 51-all, the Spartans reeled off nine consecutive points to take control in the eventual win.
Michigan State outscored Illinois 16-8 from the foul line in the contest.