East Lansing – Michigan State took Florida's best shot on Saturday at the Breslin Center, and despite struggling from the field and committing a bundle of turnovers, the Spartans pulled away for a 58-52 victory.
The top-ranked Spartans (11-0) were determined not to lose on the night Michigan State honored its 2000 national championship team, and it did so even with star Denzel Valentine struggling to score 17 points on 5-for-17 shooting, including 3-for-11 from 3-point range. Bryn Forbes scored 12, but was just 1-for-7 from 3-point range, saving that one for a decisive blow that put Michigan State ahead by four with six minutes to play.