BTN.com staff, February 9, 2013
Branden Dawson scored 20 points and Keith Appling added 17, leading No. 12 Michigan State past Purdue 78-65 on Saturday night. The Spartans (20-4, 9-2 Big Ten) have won three straight, nine of their last 10, four of their last five on the road in conference play and will retain at least a share of the league lead – regardless of what happens Sunday when No. 1 Indiana visits No. 10 Ohio State.
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Purdue (12-12, 5-6) was led by Terone Johnson with 20 points and Ronnie Johnson with 15, but couldn't avoid losing for the fourth time in five games or for the fifth straight time in the series.
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Purdue retires Robbie Hummel's No. 4:
Check out our halftime interview with Darrell Hazell:
Branden Dawson almost turns it over, gets layup:
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FINAL: Branden Dawson scored 20 points to lead No. 8 Michigan State to a 78-65 win over Purdue on Saturday at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette. Michigan State (20-4) took control of the game with a 14-4 run run to open the second half. The Spartans shot 49 percent from the field (27-of-55) and also got double-digit contributions from Adreian Payne (12 points) and Derrick Nix and Keith Appling, who each scored 17. Ronnie Johnson scored 15 points and handed out eight assists for Purdue (12-12), which also received 20 points from Terone Johnson.
FIRST PLACE
— Ben Wilensky (@LVSatTOC) February 10, 2013
Spartan fans have to love this team. Battered, bruised, still win. These guys are physically and mentally tough.
— Spartan Media Network (@Spartan_Radio) February 10, 2013
Derrick Nix may be the second best dribbler on the floor for MSU right now.
— KJ (@IwasKJ) February 10, 2013
And there's 3 for Harris. Izzo about to start losing his mind.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 10, 2013
DJ Byrd gets called for a flagrant foul on a Dawson breakaway. The call, not the foul, seemed excessive
— State News Sports (@thesnews_sports) February 10, 2013
HALFTIME: No. 12 Michigan State leads 31-23 over Purdue at the half thanks in large part to the play of Derrick Nix, who has six points and four rebounds, and Branden Dawson, who has a team-high eight points. Most of the Boilermakers' offense has come from the Johnson brothers, who have scored 18 of the team's 23 total points. Terone Johnson has poured in a game-high 12 points, while Ronnie Johnson has added six. After already giving up six offensive rebounds to Purdue, the Spartans will have to keep the Boilermakers off the boards in the second half. Gary Harris hit a couple 3-pointers and has six points for the Spartans, who shot 46 percent.
And Dawson picks up two needless fouls in a span of 23 seconds, he's done for the half. Purdue needs to take advantage at the line.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 10, 2013
As long as Purdue defends Payne with Hale, Payne should see the ball in the post on every possession.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) February 10, 2013
Two fouls on Appling. Offense has been ehhhh without him.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 10, 2013
Hammons 1-5 on twos. Byrd 0-0 on threes. Guarding Purdue?s two efficient scoring options well so far.
— KJ (@IwasKJ) February 10, 2013
Sources told CBSSports that @RobbieHummel is in the house today for Purdue's game against Michigan State.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 9, 2013
Trice out for tonight.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 9, 2013
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