Jan. 15, 2011

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Game Notes...
• For the first time in program history, Michigan State played back-to-back overtime games at home. On Tuesday, the Spartans edged Wisconsin in overtime, 64-61, and defeated Northwestern in overtime, 71-67, on Saturday...it also marks the first back-to-back overtime games for MSU since the 2005-06 season, when it fell to Gonzaga (3 OT) and Arizona in the Maui Classic...it marks the first time MSU has played in two consecutive overtime games in Big Ten play since the 2003-04 season (lost at Purdue on Jan. 25, 2004; beat Minnesota in Williams Arena on Jan. 28, 2004)...it only marks the fourth time in program history MSU has played two straight overtime games (other occurred in 1980-81 season; MSU lost to Minnesota in double overtime on Feb. 28, 1981, on the road, then beat Iowa at Jenison Field House in overtime on March 5, 1981).

• The win over Northwestern marked the 1,500th victory in Michigan State program history...MSU has an all-time record of 1,500-1,012 (.597).

• The Spartans held Northwestern's scoring leader, John Shurna, to six points on 2-of-10 shooting...Shurna entered the game averaging 20.1 points per game...in two games against Michigan State, Shurna scored 17 points (8.5 avg.) and shot 3-for-21 from the field (14 percent).

• The back-and-forth game featured 13 ties and 14 lead changes.

• MSU scored a season-low 18 points and shot 26 percent in the first half, but scored 42 points and shot 50 percent in the second half to force overtime.

• The Spartans shot a season-best 86 percent from the free-throw line (minimum 10 attempts), going 24-for-28 from the charity stripe.

• MSU out-rebounded the Wildcats, 37-29...the Spartans are 9-2 when out-rebounding their opponent this season.

• Michigan State forced 16 Northwestern turnovers, a high for the Wildcats this season...entering the game, Northwestern was ninth nationally with an average of only 10.9 turnovers per game.

Series notes...
• MSU swept the regular-season series against the Wildcats for the second straight season and has won four in a row and 15 of the last 16 meetings against Northwestern.

• MSU is now 2-2 vs. Northwestern in overtime games.

Player notes...
• Keith Appling registered career highs in points (19), field goals (6), 3-pointers (5) and minutes (30)...he was 5-for-8 from 3-point range and 6-for-11 overall from the field.

• Draymond Green made a career-high 10 free throws....it marked just the 31st time in Spartan history a player has made all 10 or more of his free throws in a game...Kevin Smith holds the MSU record with a 19-for-19 performance at the line against Indiana on Jan. 7, 1982...Green was 10-for-10 overall from the line and also had 16 points and eight rebounds...MSU is 12-2 when Green scores in double-figures this season.

• Delvon Roe recorded a career-high five blocks.

• Korie Lucious dished out six assists, which tied his career high in a Big Ten game (six vs. Minnesota on Dec. 31, 2010).

• Kalin Lucas scored 18 points, his best scoring effort since pouring in 25 against Oakland on Dec. 11...Lucas was 5-for-10 shooting from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.