EAST LANSING, Mich., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Adreian Payne and Denzel Valentine combined for 36 points Thursday, powering No. 10 Michigan State over Northwestern 85-70.
Payne provided 20 points and 14 rebounds and Valentine added 16 with six assists and five rebounds for the Spartans (21-4, 10-2 Big Ten), who bounced back from a loss to Wisconsin Sunday.
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The victory moved MSU into a first-place tie with Michigan atop the Big 10 standings.
The Wildcats (12-13, 5-7) were paced by JerShon Cobb with 22 points and added seven rebounds.
Drew Crawford helped out with 18 points and seven assists.