Michigan State nearly blew a 13-point lead late in the second half last night at Northwestern, but the 18th-ranked Spartans turned back the Wildcats 65-to-62 in Evanston. Draymond Green had 15 points for MSU, including a key put back in the final moments while Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers added 12 points apiece for the Spartans, who improved to 10-and-4 overall and 2-and-0 in the Big Ten.

Northwestern went on a 12-to-0 run and pulled within a point with 27 seconds remaining in the game. Lucas missed a free throw at the other end, but Green collected the rebound in the paint and scored a bucket for the final points of the night. Michigan State’s next game is Saturday afternoon at Penn State.