Top 25: No. 8 Michigan State 73, Nebraska 64

Top 25 basketball » The Spartans blocked 12 shots in the win.

By ERIC OLSON

| The Associated Press

First Published Feb 16 2013 08:40 pm • Last Updated Feb 17 2013 12:05 am

Lincoln, Neb. • Keith Appling scored 16 points to top 1,000 for his career and Adreian Payne added 15 points and 14 rebounds in eighth-ranked Michigan State’s 73-64 victory over Nebraska on Saturday night.

The win allowed Michigan State (22-4, 11-2) to remain tied with Indiana for first place in the Big Ten.

The Cornhuskers (12-14, 3-10), who have lost seven straight against opponents ranked in the top 10, never led but were within a point with 14 minutes left. The Spartans put away their fifth straight win with a 20-6 run.

Michigan State blocked a season-high 12 shots, with Branden Dawson matching his career high with four swats.

Gary Harris had 10 of his 14 points in the second half, and Derrick Nix had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

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