Champaign, Ill. — Michigan State had trouble hanging on to the ball again on Monday night, but when a team shoots better than 70 percent for much of the game, it can make up for a lot of problems.
The sixth-ranked Spartans did just that against Illinois the State Farm Center, turning the ball over a season-high 25 times but shooting 68.2 percent (30-for-44). They also dominated on the glass to keep the Fighting Illini at bay in a physical first half before pulling away in the second for an 87-74 victory.
Miles Bridges was dialed in from the beginning, going 6-for-6 in the first half before finishing 11-for-13, good for 31 points while grabbing eight rebounds.