‘Only up from here’: Illinois downs Michigan State, extends win streak to three

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois is streaking.

Riding high after two straight wins, Illinois had gotten right back into the mix in the Big Ten after starting 0-3 in the conference. Although, a very difficult task stood in their way of extending the streak Friday night as the Tom Izzo led Michigan State Spartans paid a visit to State Farm Center.

After being down by four points at halftime and as big as nine in the second half, Matthew Mayer and Dain Dainja combining for 26 second-half points propelled Illinois (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) to a 75-66 win.

“We beat a really good basketball team tonight,” said head coach Brad Underwood.

Mayer and Dainja were not the spotlight of the whole game though, as…