Michigan State off to record start

ASSOCIATED PRESS

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Drew Neitzel scored nine of his 15 points during a key stretch in the second half, helping No. 8 Michigan State beat Illinois 51-41 and set a school record on Wednesday night.

The Spartans (19-2, 7-1 Big Ten) have their best 21-game record in program’s 109-year history.

The Illini (10-12, 2-7) didn’t make it easy.

Illinois went on a 17-2 run after a rough start, led at halftime and responded to Neitzel’s scoring flurry by taking a 32-31 lead.

Illinois’ Mike Tisdale and Calvin Brock each scored seven points.

Raymar Morgan and Goran Suton scored 10 points apiece before fouling out for the Spartans, who have won all 13 games at home this season and 17 straight dating to last year.

Purdue 51, Iowa 50

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Keaton Grant made the winning free throw with 1.4 seconds left for Purdue.

Purdue got the ball with five seconds left and the score tied at 50. Grant took the inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor before he was fouled by Iowa’s Tony Freeman. Grant made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second because Iowa was out of timeouts. Purdue secured the rebound and ran out the clock.

Northwestern 68,
Texas-Pan American 59

EVANSTON, Ill. — Kevin Coble scored 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to rally Northwestern over Texas-Pan American.

Michael Thompson added 18 points for Northwestern (7-11), which had lost seven of the past eight games.

Brian Burrell led Texas-Pan American with 21 points.