Huskies fall short against the Spartans

Michigan State forward Nick Ward (44) is double teamed by Northern Illinois forwards Lacey James (4) and Levi Bradley (42) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)No. 8 Michigan State spoiled NIU Head Coach Mark Montgomery’s homecoming to East Lansing when the Spartans defeated the men’s basketball team 88-60 Saturday in the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.

NIU had one of its poorest offensive showings of the season in its final non-conference contest of the 2018-19 season giving the Huskies a 7-6 record heading into conference play..

Michigan State held the Huskies, who entered the game ranked third…