Michigan State University
Penn State
Spartans Roll Over Penn State, 70-36
1/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan 22, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Chris Hill had 20 points and seven rebounds as Michigan State earned a much needed boost of confidence with a 70-36 win over Penn State on Wednesday night.
The Spartans (10-7, 2-3 Big Ten) had lost five of six. They will play at Michigan on Sunday after their most lopsided win of the season.
The Nittany Lions (5-9, 0-4) lost their fourth straight and were held to their lowest point total in 11 seasons of Big Ten play. Sharif Chambliss led them with 10 points.
Both teams got off to an awful start offensively. Michigan State was able to recover - and made sure Penn State didn't.
The Spartans missed seven straight shots and 17-of-20 during one stretch before making six of their final nine before halftime. Penn State, which made just 23.4 percent of its shots, was stuck on 11 points for the final 4:42 of the first half and the first four minutes of the second.
The Spartans took control of the game with an 18-3 run over the final 7:21 of the first half to take a 27-11 halftime lead.
Michigan State turned the game into a rout by outscoring the Nittany Lions 14-5 to open the second half, and later with a 14-2 run to earn a 57-26 cushion.
Hill made his final six shots after missing four of his first five. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo brought him off the bench for the first time this season to provide a spark.
Michigan State's Aloysius Anagonye scored 11 points and Maurice Ager added 10.
