EAST LANSING, Mich. — Northwestern dropped its first contest of 2019 to No. 8 Michigan State, 81-55, on Wednesday evening at the Breslin Student Events Center.
 
Senior center Dererk Pardon led the 'Cats with 29 points on nine-of-15 shooting. He also added three assists. Pardon has added at least nine field goals in all three Big Ten games this season.
 
NU only allowed eight turnovers and added 13 points off turnovers, compared to Michigan State's two.
 
Northwestern and Michigan State traded blows for most of the start of the first half, but MSU used a 21-2 run midway through the first half to build a 47-26 lead. The Spartans shot a blistering 70.0 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes to go into the locker room ahead, 52-32.
 
Pardon paced the Wildcats' offensive effort in the opening stanza, accumulating 12 points on six-of-10 shooting.
 
Three of Northwestern's five starters had three fouls in the first half.
 
In the second half, NU forced Michigan State into 11 turnovers and kept the Spartans scoreless for a 6:30 stretch.
 
Northwestern is back in action on Sunday, January 6, against Illinois. The home match-up will tip at noon CT.
 

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