That changed at the 13:18 mark, Trice connected on a three that ignited an offensive explosion. Junior guard Bryn Forbes, freshman forward Marvin Clark, and junior guard Denzel Valentine combined for five more threes over the next five minutes.

Senior forward Branden Dawson netted a turnaround jumper to give MSU a 14-point run, at the time, and was a strong defensive and rebounding presence throughout the half. He altered and blocked Wildcat shots, and was the anchor of a suffocating Spartan defense.

MSU rattled off 22 straight points while holding Northwestern scoreless for nearly the last ten minutes of the half, giving up just 14 points to the home squad.

MSU’s ball movement was terrific in the half, totaling 13 assists as a team, and despite seeing so many shots fall, the Spartans continued to zip the ball in and out of the paint and along the perimeter.

The Spartans went into the locker room on top 38-14.

Trice hit two threes in the first eight minutes of the half, perhaps regaining some of the confidence and form that he’s lost in recent games.

Clark, who will now see an expanded role due to the absence of freshman forward Javon Bess, scored in a game for the first time since Jan. 21.

Northwestern didn’t fold in the second half, going on a 12-point run cut MSU’s lead to 23 points at the 7:01 mark. The Spartans got sloppy, but Nairn eventually ended the Wildcat run with a nifty drive to the basket. On the ensuing possession, Valentine lobbed to Dawson in transition, who did what he does best – finishing with a punishing slam.

MSU was led by Trice and Valentine, who scored 16 and 14 points, respectively. Dawson notched a team-high 10 rebounds.

As a team, MSU shot 13-of-25 from three-point range, making their most threes in game this year.