SPARTANSMichigan State 88, Northern Illinois 60The Detroit NewsCassius Winston takes the ball to the paint in the first half with Zaire Mateen (5) trailing as Michigan State University beats Northern Illinois, 88-60, at Breslin Center on Friday, December 21, 2018. Winston lead the Spartans with 24 points and seven assists.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsNick Ward battles for a shot against Noah McCarty (11) in the first half. Ward had 11 points and seven rebounds.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Nick Ward gets fouled on a fast break and lands in the crowd in the second half, giving some fans a chance for "a touch.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Kyle Ahrens drives and dishes to teammate Kenny Goins in the second half as MSU players on the bench come to their feet.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Xavier Tillman dunks in the second half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Matt McQuaid drills a 3-pointer in the second half between two Northern Illinois' defenders.Dale G. Young, Detroit News"We've got no rhythm," says coach Tom Izzo to Cassius Winston during a break in the action.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Kenny Goins grabs an offensive rebound and looks for a teammate in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Joshua Langford drives past Northern Illinois' Austin Richie (32) in the first half in front of the Huskies bench.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMSU's Xavier Tillman controls an offensive rebound in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsSpartan Aaron Henry gets past Jaylen Key (15) in the first half and scores off the glass.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Xavier Tillman puts back a shot for two points in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Cassius Winston hits the first of four straight 3-pointers in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Xavier Tillman cuts around Northern Illinois' Jaylen Key (15) in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Aaron Henry skies in for a big dunk in the first half before Northern Illinois' Gairges Daow (2) can reach him.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Nick Ward fights through a double-team to score in the first half. Ward was double-teamed every time he touched the ball.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsNorthern Illinois coach Mark Montgomery returned to Breslin Center Saturday, for the first time as a visiting coach, but MSU beat his Northern Illinois Huskies, 88-60.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Cassius Winston pushes the ball past Zaire Mateen in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Kenny Goins hits a 3-pointer in front of the Northern Illinois bench and coach Mark Montgomery in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Nick Ward even got a turn for a 3-pointer — this one in front of the Spartan bench in the second half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Matt McQuaid puts up a shot in the paint in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Cassius Winston splits the Northern Illinois' defense in the first half for a basket.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsMichigan State's Nick Ward gets fouled on his way to a basket in the first half.Dale G. Young, Detroit NewsTom Izzo huddles with Cassius Winston and Matt McQuaid (right) in the second half as Michigan State University beats Northern Illinois, 88-60, at Breslin Center on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018.Dale G. Young, Detroit News