Michigan ends long dry spell with win over MSU

Posted: 03.05.2011 at 7:19 PM

Wolverines' 70-63 victory clinches first regular-season sweep over rivals since 1997

ANN ARBOR (AP) -- Tim Hardaway Jr. scored all 20 of his points in the second half, and Michigan completed a surprising sweep of Michigan State with a 70-63 victory Saturday.

The Wolverines (19-12, 9-9 Big Ten) are now very much in the running for an NCAA tournament spot. They've won eight of 11 to finish the regular season, a stretch that started when they beat Michigan State in East Lansing for the first time in 14 years.

Kalin Lucas scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half for Michigan State. The Spartans (17-13, 9-9) began the season in the national championship discussion, but they're now on the bubble.

Michigan State cut a 13-point second-half deficit to two but never led.