Gary Harris scored 23 points to lead
fourth-ranked Michigan State to a 78-62 win over Illinois.
Denzel Valentine contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Keith Appling also
scored 15, as the Spartans (17-1, 6-0 Big Ten) won their 10th straight contest
since a Dec. 4 loss to North Carolina.
Tracy Abrams had 15 points to pace the Fighting Illini (13-6, 2-4), who have
dropped four in a row. Jon Ekey and Rayvonte Rice each had 12 points in
defeat.
"I thought we made our fair share of mistakes on the defensive end," Illinois
coach John Groce said.
Rice's jumper had the hosts within 24-22 with 4:13 left in the opening half,
but the Spartans ran off the next seven points, finished by Branden Dawson's
tip-in. Harris hit a jumper in the final minute to widen the gap to 35-25 at
the break.
Ekey drained a 3-pointer to start the second half, but the Spartans again
gained control and moved ahead by a 43-30 margin on Alex Gauna's jumper.
Adams made two free throws for a 59-53 contest with 6:09 left, but Appling
responded with a 3-pointer with under six minutes left. Illinois didn't get
closer than nine the rest of the way.