FINAL: Michigan State advances to Big Ten final

College basketball fans in the state are halfway to an all-State of Michigan final in the Big Ten Tournament. Top seed Michigan State did its part, with a 65-52 victory over fourth-seeded Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Spartans (26-7) face the winner of the second semifinal — which pits Michigan against Ohio State — Sunday at 3:30. If the Wolverines win, it will be the first time that the in-state rivals have played in the Big Ten Tournament.

Draymond Green had 14 points and 15 rebounds, Keith Appling added 13 points and Austin Thornton added 12 for the Spartans, who return to the title game for the first time since 2000, the year they won the NCAA title.

Michigan State missed its first seven field goals and trailed Wisconsin, 20-9, midway through the first half. But the Badgers didn’t convert a field goal for the final 10 minutes and MSU rolled to a 26-5 run and a 10-point halftime lead.

MSU built a 19-point lead in the second half, but the Badgers rallied to cut it to 46-40 with 12 minutes left. The Spartans answered with an 11-0 spurt to put the game away and return to the championship game.

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College basketball fans in the state are halfway to an all-State of Michigan final in the Big Ten Tournament. Top seed Michigan State did its part, with a xx-xx victory over fourth-seeded Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Spartans (26-7) face the winner of the second semifinal — which pits Michigan against Ohio State — Sunday at 3:30. If the Wolverines win, it will be the first time that the in-state rivals have played in the Big Ten Tournament.

Keith Appling scored 13 points and Draymond Green and Austin Thornton added 12 each for the Spartans, who return to the title game for the first time since 2000, the year they won the NCAA title.

Michigan State missed its first seven field goals and trailed Wisconsin, 20-9, midway through the first half. But the Badgers didn’t convert a field goal for the final 10 minutes and MSU rolled to a 26-5 run and a 10-point halftime lead.

MSU built a 19-point lead in the second half, but the Badgers rallied to cut it to 46-40 with 12 minutes left. The Spartans answered with an 11-0 spurt to put the game away and return to the championship game.