Associated Press, December 30, 2016

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Alvin Ellis III scored 16 points, Cassius Winston had 15 and Nick Ward added 11 as Michigan State made the most of a fast start in a 61-52 win over Northwestern on Friday night.

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It was the third win in a row for the Spartans (10-5, 2-0 Big Ten), who led 28-9 in the first half before Northwestern got going. The Wildcats finished the half on a 20-8 run to pull to 36-29 at the break.
Sanjay Lumpkin's 3-pointer early in the second half cut the Spartans' lead to four, 36-32. Michigan State led 48-44 with 11:29 left and the Wildcats didn't get closer.

Michigan State shot 42.9 percent from the floor (21 of 49), while hitting just 4 of 17 3-point tries.

Vic Law had 16 points and nine rebounds for Northwestern (12-3, 1-1), while Scottie Lindsey added 11 points.