EAST LANSING, Mich. — It was a fistfight, perhaps fitting in a Michigan-Michigan State rivalry that has seen its share of animosity and emotion over the past year.
In the end, it was the home team that was able to throw the knockout blow on Saturday afternoon, the Spartans getting a bucket in the lane from A.J. Hoggard with just more than a minute to play, then put the game away at the free-throw line, knocking off Michigan, 59-53, at Breslin Center.
Malik Hall, in his most extensive playing time since returning from a foot injury that forced him to miss eight games, scored 15 for Michigan State (11-4, 3-1 Big Ten) while Hoggard had 15 and six assists. Tyson Walker added 14 as Michigan State beat Michigan for the third time in the last four meetings.
