The No. 7 Michigan St. Spartans are currently holding a slim half-game lead in the Big Ten. They are visiting conference rivals the Purdue Boilermakers and looking to hang onto that lead over No. 6 Ohio State and No. 17 Michigan, who are close behind. The Spartans are going to have to work to avoid an upset, however, as they trail 38-35 entering halftime.
Through the first half of play at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, the Spartans are facing a tough fight against the Boilermakers, who keep battling back every time Michigan State attempts to open up a sizable lead. Purdue took a 35-33 lead with just over two minutes left in the half.
Derrick Nix is leading the scoring for the Spartans, with 10 points. Branden Dawson is nearing a double-double, with eight points and eight rebounds.
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