Michigan State victory against Purdue keeps Ohio State in first place in Big Ten race
Michigan State forward Draymond Green, right, dribbles around Purdue guard Chris Kramer on Sunday. Michigan State won, 53-44. (Photo: Associated Press)
Draymond Green added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Spartans (22-7, 12-4 Big Ten), who avenged a 76-64 loss to the Boilermakers on Feb. 9 in East Lansing.
E'Twaun Moore scored 12 points, and JaJuan Johnson and Chris Kramer scored 11 for Purdue in its first game since losing versatile forward Robbie Hummel. The junior tore the ACL in his right knee last Wednesday against Minnesota and will miss the rest of the season.
Opportunity knocked for Purdue (24-4, 12-4) a day after No. 1 Kansas lost to Oklahoma State and No. 2 Kentucky lost to Tennessee. Instead, the Boilermakers fell a half game behind Ohio State in the Big Ten race.
Michigan State outrebounded Purdue 46-20 to overcome 23 turnovers. Purdue shot 30 percent from the field and posted its lowest point total of the season.
Purdue shot poorly early, but stayed in the game at the free-throw line.
Michigan State led 22-16 before Purdue temporarily found its offensive rhythm. A steal and dunk by Kramer cut Michigan State's lead to 22-21, and a 3-pointer by Keaton Grant tied the score at 24 with 3:45 left in the first half.
Michigan State's Derrick Nix was called for a technical foul after he missed a dunk, then caught the ball while still hanging on the rim and dunked it in with his right hand. Moore made the technical free throws to give Purdue a 26-24 lead.
The Boilermakers led 28-26 at halftime, despite shooting 32 percent and getting a combined 2-for-13 shooting effort from Moore and Johnson.
Michigan State held Purdue to one basket during a 16-6 run that gave the Spartans a 42-34 lead with 11 minutes left.
Purdue had a chance to creep back into the game in the final minutes, but couldn't get a rebound. Green posted up against Kramer, missed, but tipped the ball twice before finally scoring to make it 50-44 with 1:20 to play.
Moore missed a 3-pointer, then Lucas found Morgan for a lob near the basket. Morgan made the layup, was fouled and converted the 3-point play to put the game out of reach.
Comments
TXteacher
Mon, Mar 1, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
@Tater-That's one weekend farther than Blue. I didn't hear anyone piping up when MSU had injuries and a losing streak. If MSU is healthy, they will go to the Sweet 16. March 7- Another Spartan beatdown of the Blue in Breslin!
timeatwork
Mon, Mar 1, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
I wouldn't say that the regular season is over. OSU has to play ILL on tuesday...not an easy win. Purdue is still a good team without hummel, but may faulter vs IND or PSU. State, at full strength, can finish strong against PSU and of course an easy win over uofm. I see a 3 way tie at the end, but anything can happen. btw, no one cares about the big ten tourny outside of bubble teams
chosen1
Mon, Mar 1, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
They had to win though, cause a loss yesterday would've looked far worse than an ugly win. Instead of envy and hatred try showing a little humility and congrat sparty on not choking. Doesn't matter if they won, OSU will be the one seed and we will face them in the 2nd round of the Big ten tourney.