No. 11 Michigan State beats Penn State 77-57

By Larry Lage

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 8 2012 6:55 p.m. MST

Michigan State's Draymond Green, center, pulls down a rebound between Penn State's Billy Oliver, left, and Sasa Borovnjak during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, in East Lansing, Mich.

Al Goldis, Associated Press

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Summary

Draymond Green had 23 points and 12 rebounds and made some timely shots to help No. 11 Michigan State pull away from Penn State in a 77-57 win Wednesday night.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Draymond Green had 23 points and 12 rebounds and made some timely shots to help No. 11 Michigan State pull away from Penn State in a 77-57 win Wednesday night.

The Spartans (19-5, 8-3 Big Ten) pulled within a game of conference-leading and third-ranked Ohio State, setting up a big game Saturday on the road against the Buckeyes.

The last-place Nittany Lions (10-15, 2-10) have lost five straight and eight of nine.

Michigan State's Adreian Payne matched a career high with 12 points and freshman Branden Dawson also had 12, scoring in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Tim Frazier scored 19 on 6-of-18 shooting for the Nittany Lions.

Michigan State led by 21 early in the second half. Penn State posed a brief threat by pulling within five points midway through the second half, but Green made a layup on the next possession.

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