Spartans edge Badgers in overtime

1/12/2011

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Draymond Green scored a career-high 26 points, and Kalin Lucas made three free throws in the final minute of overtime to lift Michigan State to a much-needed 64-61 victory over No. 20 Wisconsin Tuesday night.

The Spartans, who have been in a funk for most of the season, scored the final nine points of regulation to tie the game at 53, then outlasted the Badgers (12-4, 2-2 Big Ten) in the extra session. Lucas put Michigan State (11-5, 3-1) up by one with a free throw with 30.2 seconds remaining, and Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor then missed from near the top of the key.

Lucas, who finished with 17 points, added two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, and Taylor missed a desperation shot from midcourt.

Taylor scored 21 points for Wisconsin.

After turning the ball over only 13 times in its first three Big Ten games, Wisconsin gave it away 11 times against the Spartans -- including a couple of big mistakes as the Badgers were trying to protect their lead.

Trailing 53-48 with just over a minute remaining, the Spartans came up with a steal near midcourt that led to a breakaway dunk by Keith Appling. Wisconsin lost the ball again on the following inbounds, and Korie Lucious made a 3-pointer to tie it with 47.2 seconds remaining.

The Badgers looked completely out of sorts on their next possession, which ended when Tim Jarmusz shot an air ball from the corner at the end of the shot clock. Lucas had a chance to win it at the other end, but he decided to go up with his right hand, and Keaton Nankivil was able to block his layup from behind.

Green scored Michigan State's first eight points of overtime, including a free throw that put the Spartans ahead 61-60 with 1:16 left. Taylor tied it with a free throw with 59.1 seconds left, but Lucas drew a foul driving along the baseline and put Michigan State ahead to stay.

No. 10 Connecticut 67 Rutgers 53

HARTFORD -- Alex Oriakhi had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots as Connecticut returned to Big East play with an easy win over Rutgers.

Kemba Walker finished with 18 points. He has led UConn in scoring in every game this season.

The Huskies (13-2, 2-2), coming off a 82-81 overtime win at No. 12 Texas on Saturday, won their 10th straight against the Scarlet Knights (10-6, 1-3), who were led by Mike Poole's 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Walker came into the game as the nation's leading scorer averaging just under 26 points per game. He failed to reach 20 points for just the third time this season, but pulled down six rebounds.

No. 12 Texas 83, Texas Tech 52

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Freshman Tristan Thompson scored 20 points to lift Texas.

Jordan Hamilton added 16 points and Cory Joseph had 15 for the Longhorns (13-3, 1-0 Big 12).

Texas got the ball inside with ease, scoring 50 points in the paint. The Longhorns pulled away midway through the first half and Texas Tech (8-9, 0-2) was unable to counter the Longhorns offense.

The Longhorns came into the game ranked fifth in the nation in field goal defense and continued that trend. They held the Red Raiders to 23 field goals.