EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Draymond Green had 23 points and 12 rebounds and made some timely shots to help No. 11 Michigan State pull away from Penn State in a 77-57 win Wednesday night.
The Spartans (19-5, 8-3 Big Ten) pulled within a game of conference-leading and third-ranked Ohio State, setting up a big game Saturday on the road against the Buckeyes.
The last-place Nittany Lions (10-15, 2-10) have lost five straight and eight of nine.
Michigan State's Adreian Payne matched a career high with 12 points and freshman Branden Dawson also had 12, scoring in double figures for the fifth straight game.
Tim Frazier scored 19 on 6-of-18 shooting for the Nittany Lions.
Michigan State led by 21 early in the second half. Penn State posed a brief threat by pulling within five points midway through the second half, but Green made a layup on the next possession.
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