SPARTANS

Michigan State 88, Northern Illinois 60

The Detroit News
Cassius 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.
Cassius 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 News
Nick Ward battles for a shot against Noah McCarty (11) in the first half. Ward had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Nick Ward battles for a shot against Noah McCarty (11) in the first half. Ward had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan 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.
Michigan 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 News
Michigan 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.
Michigan 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 News
Michigan State ' s Xavier Tillman dunks in the second half.
Michigan State's Xavier Tillman dunks in the second half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Matt McQuaid drills a 3-pointer in the second half between two Northern Illinois ' defenders.
Michigan 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.
"We've got no rhythm," says coach Tom Izzo to Cassius Winston during a break in the action.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Kenny Goins grabs an offensive rebound and looks for a teammate in the first half.
Michigan State's Kenny Goins grabs an offensive rebound and looks for a teammate in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Joshua Langford drives past Northern Illinois ' Austin Richie (32) in the first half in front of the Huskies bench.
Michigan 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 News
MSU ' s Xavier Tillman controls an offensive rebound in the first half.
MSU's Xavier Tillman controls an offensive rebound in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Spartan Aaron Henry gets past Jaylen Key (15) in the first half and scores off the glass.
Spartan Aaron Henry gets past Jaylen Key (15) in the first half and scores off the glass.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Xavier Tillman puts back a shot for two points in the first half.
Michigan State's Xavier Tillman puts back a shot for two points in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Cassius Winston hits the first of four straight 3-pointers in the first half.
Michigan State's Cassius Winston hits the first of four straight 3-pointers in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Xavier Tillman cuts around Northern Illinois ' Jaylen Key (15) in the first half.
Michigan State's Xavier Tillman cuts around Northern Illinois' Jaylen Key (15) in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Aaron Henry skies in for a big dunk in the first half before Northern Illinois ' Gairges Daow (2) can reach him.
Michigan 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 News
Michigan 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.
Michigan 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 News
Northern 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.
Northern 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 News
Michigan State ' s Cassius Winston pushes the ball past Zaire Mateen in the first half.
Michigan State's Cassius Winston pushes the ball past Zaire Mateen in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Kenny Goins hits a 3-pointer in front of the Northern Illinois bench and coach Mark Montgomery in the first half.
Michigan 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 News
Michigan State ' s Nick Ward even got a turn for a 3-pointer — this one in front of the Spartan bench in the second half.
Michigan 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 News
Michigan State ' s Matt McQuaid puts up a shot in the paint in the first half.
Michigan State's Matt McQuaid puts up a shot in the paint in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Cassius Winston splits the Northern Illinois ' defense in the first half for a basket.
Michigan State's Cassius Winston splits the Northern Illinois' defense in the first half for a basket.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Michigan State ' s Nick Ward gets fouled on his way to a basket in the first half.
Michigan State's Nick Ward gets fouled on his way to a basket in the first half.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Tom 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.
Tom 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