WJBD - Local Sports - Spartans Hold on for Win Over Illinois

Local Sports

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Keith

Appling led a pivotal run early in the second half and finished with 24 points

and seven assists to help No. 13 Michigan State beat Illinois 80-75 last night.

The Spartans (18-4, 7-2 Big Ten) scored

the first 14 points of the second half to take their first lead.

The Fighting Illini (15-7, 2-6) lost for

the fifth time in six games. They had a chance to be the first team with four

wins over currently ranked teams.

Illinois started strong and responded to

rallies with shots and stops in the first half. Michigan State played with a

lot of energy in the second half. Appling alternated making shots and setting

up teammates to score in helping turn a 10-point deficit into a 41-37 lead.