EAST LANSING, Mich. – Three Wildcats scored in double figures for the 16th-straight game, but No. 23 Michigan State (12-3, 3-1 B1G) defeated No. 16 Northwestern (12-4, 1-3 B1G) 74-51 on Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center.
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Nia Coffey, who was just one rebound shy of a double-double, led the 'Cats with 13 points. Senior Maggie Lyon and junior Christen Inman joined in double figures with 11 points apiece, while junior Ashley Deary contributed nine points.
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Redshirt junior Aerial Powers led the Spartans with a game-best 21 points and 12 rebounds.
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Michigan State attacked early and often, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of action. Inman opened the Wildcats' account with a jumper to trigger a small surge and bring NU within three points.
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MSU countered with a 7-0 run to draw a 10-point advantage with four minutes left in the frame, but Northwestern used a late surge to come within one with 1:14 on the clock. Powers followed closed out the quarter with a triple and the Spartans held a 19-15 lead after 10 minutes.
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Michigan State opened up the second stanza with seven unanswered points before Inman snapped the run. The teams exchanged baskets over the next few minutes, but MSU took an 18-point lead into the halftime break.
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Northwestern tipped off the second half with an 8-0 tear to force the Spartans to call for a timeout, but MSU came out of the huddle in full force. Michigan State tallied the next 14 points to build a 24-point advantage and never looked back.
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For the game, Northwestern shot 27 percent (18-66) from the field, 12 percent (3-26) from 3-point range and 63 percent (12-19) from the charity stripe. Michigan State connected on 43 percent (29-68) of its shots, including 27 percent (7-26) from beyond the arc and 60 percent (9-15) from the free-throw line. The Spartans won the rebounding battle, 50-40.
The Wildcats return to the hardwood on Thursday, Jan. 14, when they host No. 5 Ohio State. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CST and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
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Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!
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Nia Coffey, who was just one rebound shy of a double-double, led the 'Cats with 13 points. Senior Maggie Lyon and junior Christen Inman joined in double figures with 11 points apiece, while junior Ashley Deary contributed nine points.
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Redshirt junior Aerial Powers led the Spartans with a game-best 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Â
Michigan State attacked early and often, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of action. Inman opened the Wildcats' account with a jumper to trigger a small surge and bring NU within three points.
Â
MSU countered with a 7-0 run to draw a 10-point advantage with four minutes left in the frame, but Northwestern used a late surge to come within one with 1:14 on the clock. Powers followed closed out the quarter with a triple and the Spartans held a 19-15 lead after 10 minutes.
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Michigan State opened up the second stanza with seven unanswered points before Inman snapped the run. The teams exchanged baskets over the next few minutes, but MSU took an 18-point lead into the halftime break.
Â
Northwestern tipped off the second half with an 8-0 tear to force the Spartans to call for a timeout, but MSU came out of the huddle in full force. Michigan State tallied the next 14 points to build a 24-point advantage and never looked back.
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For the game, Northwestern shot 27 percent (18-66) from the field, 12 percent (3-26) from 3-point range and 63 percent (12-19) from the charity stripe. Michigan State connected on 43 percent (29-68) of its shots, including 27 percent (7-26) from beyond the arc and 60 percent (9-15) from the free-throw line. The Spartans won the rebounding battle, 50-40.
The Wildcats return to the hardwood on Thursday, Jan. 14, when they host No. 5 Ohio State. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CST and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
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••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!