No. 11 Michigan State routs Penn State

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- With a showdown against first-place Ohio State approaching, one blowout wasnt enough Wednesday night for Michigan State. The 11th-ranked Spartans raced to a big lead, let up on the gas and then floored it again late to cruise to a 77-57 victory over Penn State at the Breslin Center. This was a game of ugly, uglier and ugliest. Bad, good, bad, good, bad, good, good, is how Michigan State coach Tom Izzo described his teams performance. Both teams missed their first eight shots. It took Penn State more than 7 12 minutes to even score a point. Despite shooting 26.7 percent in the first half, Michigan State still led by 14 points. Thats because Penn State shot a gruesome 20.8 percent and was getting outrebounded by a whopping 30-14 at halftime. The Spartans went on to build the lead to 22 in the first four minutes of the second half. If you were watching, you probably changed the channel. Seemingly out of nowhere, however, Penn State came charging back. A 21-5 run cut the lead to five points with 9:18 left. It was the type of night when you thought Michigan State should have been leading by 30, but it was suddenly a two-possession game. Well, not for long. Michigan State turned it on again, making a 23-5 run over the next 6 12 minutes to turn it back into a rout. This was a total trap game for Michigan State, sandwiched right between a victory over Michigan on Sunday and Saturdays match-up at No. 3 Ohio State. It was more discouraging than encouraging, Izzo said of the win. I havent felt that way in a long time. I didnt like our approach today. I hate to be this way after a 20-point win. Izzo should feel good about this much: His team responded when it was necessary. A 20-point victory on a lousy night says a lot about the Spartans, even against a lowly, outmanned Penn State team. When the Nittany Lions (10-15, 2-10 Big Ten) made their rally, Michigan State senior captain Draymond Green -- who else? -- came to the rescue in an instant. Green scored 11 of his game-high 23 points during the decisive run. Thats what seniors do, thats what winners do, Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said of Green taking the game over. We couldnt defend him. Izzo wasn't surprised. Hes supposed to do that, the coach said. And Green knows it. I just started calling my own number, he said. (Point guard Travis) Trice was trying to call a play. I changed the play, just told him, Come here to me. Coach has told me, When its money time, youve got to get inside and score a basket or get fouled. He dont have to tell me that anymore. I know now when its money time, its time for me to get down there, get fouled or score a bucket. Thats what I wanted to do tonight. Fortunately, I was able to do it. Green also had 12 rebounds and five assists. He could have had a triple-double if someone could make a layup, Izzo said. The Spartans took a 9-0 lead before Nick Colella finally hit a three-pointer for the Nittany Lions with 12:20 remaining in the first half. Penn State came on to shoot 53.6 percent in the second half, briefly putting a scare into the home crowd. We compete for stretches, but its a 40-minute game, Chambers said. Michigan State won the game at the free-throw line (23-for-34 to Penn States 11-for-16) and on the boards (44-25). Payne and Branden Dawson added 12 points for the Spartans. Point guard Keith Appling had 10 points and seven assists. Guard Tim Frazier scored 19 to lead Penn State. It sets up a big one between the top two teams in the Big Ten Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio. MSU trails Ohio State by one game with seven to play. The Buckeyes were supposed to be in this position, but not necessarily the Spartans, who have reloaded when some thought they might need a year or so to rebuild. Its kind of fun, Izzo said. We put ourselves in position to play in a big game. Its awesome. I think well respond. Weve played in some big games this year. Well be able to lean on that a little bit. Weve been there. Im sure that place will be hopping and rocking. Pretty exciting for us. Its a testament to those guys, Day-Day (Green), Keith (Appling), all of them.