The Spartans were in a must-win situation Wednesday night and they didn't let the opportunity slide by.

MSU (15-11 overall, 7-6 Big Ten) kept its NCAA Tournament hopes alive by defeating Minnesota 71-61 in front of a boisterous Breslin Center crowd.

Sophomore forward/guard Alan Anderson led the Spartans with 18 points, while sophomore guard Kelvin Torbert added 17. Senior forward Aloysius Anagonye scored 12, while freshman center Paul Davis dropped in 10.

Gopher guard Maurice Hargrow led Minnesota (16-8, 8-5) with 17 points.

The Spartans led by as many as 18 points and never trailed in the game. MSU now sits 1/2 game behind Purdue for fifth in the conference.