Spartans fall to the Illini on the road

**Admin** Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:06 am

No. 23 Illinois found the answer getting 20 points from Brandon Paul, 14 from Richmond and several late free throws that helped hold off 17th-ranked Michigan State, 71-62.

The Illini (14-5, 4-3 Big Ten) led by as many as 10, at 53-43, on a 3-pointer by Paul with 13:08 to play.

But they had to hold off a late Spartans charge that made Michigan State coach Tom Izzo feel as though his team was never more than a key shot or two from a potential win.

One late possession neatly summed up the misery for Michigan State (12-6, 4-2).

With the Spartans down 67-62 with just more than 2 minutes to play, Durrell Summers missed a jump shot that was followed by three straight missed chances to tip the ball in. Finally, Mike Davis swooped in to grab a rebound for Illinois and end the suspense.

Summers had 13 points and Delvon Roe added eight points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State, which travels to Purdue on Saturday.