Michigan State outscored Illinois, 80-to-75 last night in Big Ten basketball. Keith Appling scored 24 points and added 8 rebounds and seven assists for the State Spartans. The Fighting Illini led by 10 at halftime (37-27) but gave up 53 second half points.
Tracy Abrams led Illinois with 16 points, D.J. Richardson added 14, and Brandon Paul chipped in with 13 in a losing cause.
Illinois drops to 15-and-7 (2-and-6 in the conference).
Michigan State improves to 18-and-4 (7-and-2 in the Big 10).
Illinois head basketball coach John Groce:
groce1
groce2
Illinois hosts Wisconsin Sunday afternoon in Champaign. Tip off time: 2:30 pm at Assembly Hall.
