Morning Box Score: Spartans Top Illini

By Matt Motyka in News on Mar 2, 2009 4:00PM

No. 20 Illinois' hopes for a Big Ten title vanished with their 74-66 loss to no. 9 Michigan State on Sunday. The Spartans established the lead early—opening the game with a 7-0 run—and maintained their advantage well into the second half. Illinois center Mike Tisdale rallied his team, however, scoring eight straight for the Illini as they tied the game at 58 with seven minutes to play. Michigan State answered by shoring up their D, and slowly re-established a two-possession lead going into the final minute. Illinois puts the wraps on its regular season at Penn State on Thursday.