COL BKB: Michigan St. 74, Illinois 66

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 1 (UPI) -- No. 9 Michigan State quelled a late rally Sunday and clinched at least a tie for the Big Ten regular-season title with a 74-66 win over 20th-ranked Illinois.

The Spartans held a 37-30 halftime advantage only to slide into a 58-58 tie when Illinois' Jeff Jordan made a steal and subsequent layup with 7:18 left.

From that point, MSU closed with a 16-8 spurt and ruined Illinois' Senior Day.

Kalin Lucas scored 18 points with four assists. Raymar Morgan scored 14 with six rebounds, while Delvon Roe added 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Spartans (23-5, 13-3), who have won three in a row and six of seven.

Mike Tisdale led Illinois with 15 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Mike Davis scored 13 with eight rebounds, and both Demetri McCamey and Chester Frazier added 10 points for the Fighting Illini (23-7, 11-6), who had won the previous two contests.

Their 17 turnovers led to 16 MSU points.