COL BKB: Michigan State 61, Wisconsin 50

EAST LANSING, Mich., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- No. 5 Michigan State, spurred by a solid 17-point second half scoring advantage, came back for a 61-50 Big Ten Conference victory over Wisconsin Sunday.

MSU went to the locker room at halftime facing a 31-25 deficit, but limited the visitors to a 27.8 shooting percentage in the second half. The Spartans went ahead 49-47 on Kalin Lucas' jumper with 3:18 remaining and hung on for the win.

They outscored Wisconsin, 36-19, in the second half, with Goran Suton scoring 14 of his 16 points. Lucas led the winners with 17 points.

Chris Allen had eight points and four assists, and Suton had 10 rebounds for the Spartans (21-5, 11-3), who maintained sole possession of first place with the fourth win in their last five games.

Trevon Hughes led Wisconsin with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Marcus Landry had 11 points and three rebounds for the Badgers (17-10, 8-7), who had won five in a row.