Michigan St. Spartans vs Northwestern Wildcats Box Score on Dec 20, 2020

Boo Buie had a career-high 30 points and four assists and Northwestern led by double digits throughout the second half while stunning No. 4 Michigan State 79-65 in the Big Ten opener for both teams at Evanston, Ill., on Sunday.

Pete Nance supplied 15 points, 12 rebounds and four assists for the Wildcats (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and Ty Berry added 12 points. Northwestern hadn't beaten a Top 5 team since 1979, which also came against the Spartans.

Aaron Henry led the Spartans (6-1, 0-1) with 11 points. Gabe Brown and Malik Hall tossed in 10 points apiece.

The Wildcats shot 52.9 percent from the field while the Spartans shot 38.8 percent.

Michigan State had won the last 12 meetings between the schools.

When Buie knocked down a 3-pointer with 18 minutes remaining, the Wildcats were up 16, 50-34.

The Spartans reeled off the next six points, capped by a Julius Marble basket. Northwestern then scored 11 unanswered points to take total command.

Berry got it going with a 3-pointer. Miller Kopp had a three-point play during that span and Buie followed with a jumper. Ryan Young finished off the outburst with a layup.

Foster Loyer's 3-pointer ended the Spartans' scoring drought and began a 9-0 Michigan State run. Joey Hauser made another long shot and Henry converted a three-point play.

Berry fired in a 3 to slow the Spartans' momentum. Michigan State never threatened again.

Northwestern shot 51.9 percent from the field in the first half and raced to a 43-30 halftime lead.

The score was knotted at 16-all after Michigan State's Loyer made a 3-pointer.

The Wildcats took the lead for keeps on a Nance layup.

Buie, who scored 14 points prior to the break, drained two 3-pointers in a 26-second span to give his club a 34-23 advantage. He followed a Henry dunk with two free throws and the Wildcats were up double digits the rest of the half.

Nance delivered the final points of the half with Northwestern's sixth 3-pointer in 12 attempts.

--Field Level Media