Michigan State University
Penn St
Spartans Power Past Penn St., 77-65
1/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan 19, 2002
By DAN LEWERENZ
Associated Press Writer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Kelvin Torbert scored 16 points, including the go-ahead basket, to lead Michigan State to a 77-65 victory over Penn State on Saturday.
Torbert's 3-pointer with 9:45 left gave Michigan State the lead for good and was part of an 8-0 run that put the Spartans up 59-53 with 8:14 left.
Penn State got a pair of 3-pointers from Sharif Chambliss to pull to within 66-61 at the 5-minute mark, but a Torbert jumper and four free throws by Aloysius Anagonye preserved the Spartan lead.
It was the second consecutive win for Michigan State (11-7, 2-3 Big Ten) after a four-game losing streak. Penn State (5-11, 1-4) has lost five of its last six.
Marcus Taylor finished with 15 points for the Spartans, Anagonye scored 14 and Chris Hill had 12.
Brandon Watkins hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 12:51 left to give the Nittany Lions their first lead, 50-49. Penn State had its biggest lead, 53-51, when Tyler Smith converted a three-point play with 11:14 left.
Smith finished with 19 points, Watkins had 15 and Chambliss 13 for Penn State.
Michigan State opened the game with a 20-2 run, holding the Nittany Lions to just one field goal in the first 8:07.
Penn State climbed back in with a 17-3 run, and closed within 40-38 on Smith's 3-pointer with 44 seconds left in the half. Chris Hill's 3-pointer gave the Spartans a 43-38 halftime lead.
