Branden Dawson had 20 points as the Michigan State Spartans won their 20th game of the season Saturday night with a 78-65 victory on the road over the Purdue Boilermakers.
No. 12 Michigan State vs. Purdue final score: Spartans roll to 78-65 win in West Lafayette
Branden Dawson had 20 points to lead the Spartans to their 20th win of the season -- a 78-65 victory over Purdue on the road Saturday night.
For more on this game, head over to THE ONLY COLORS and HAMMER AND RAILS.
The win moves the No. 12 Spartans to 20-4 overall and gives Michigan State and head coach Tom Izzo the program's eighth 20-win season in the last nine years.
The key to this one was limiting the looks that Purdue saw. Despite shooting a respectable 47.7 percent overall, the Boilermakers took 11 fewer shots than the Spartans. Michigan State's quick hands were a big reason why. Spartan steals accounted for 13 of Purdue's 14 turnovers and every player in Michigan State's starting lineup registered at least one steal, led by three each from Gary Harris and Derrick Nix.
Purdue was paced by its sibling backcourt on Saturday. Terone Johnson had 20 points and his brother Ronnie Johnson had 15 points and eight assists.
With the loss, Purdue drops to 12-12 overall and 5-6 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are now 9-2 in the conference and, for now, are alone in first place.
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