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U-M gains revenge

Outlasts Wisconsin

AP Photo Michigan’s Isaiah Livers dunks during the second half Saturday in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR (AP) — Michigan avenged its loss to Wisconsin last month — and coach John Beilein wants no part of a rubber match against the Badgers.

“Ethan Happ said to me after the game: ‘I hope to see you again this season,'” Beilein said. “No Ethan. I don’t want to see you again the rest of my life.”

Happ had 18 points and 11 rebounds for No. 19 Wisconsin, but Michigan’s Jon Teske more than held his own inside, and Charles Matthews scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to lift the No. 7 Wolverines to a 61-52 victory Saturday. Teske had 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Big Ten-leading Wolverines (22-2, 11-2) won despite going 0 for 10 from 3-point range in the second half. Michigan led 51-50 in a tight defensive struggle before pulling away with eight straight points.

The Badgers (17-7, 9-4) had their six-game winning streak snapped. That run began with a 64-54 win over then-undefeated Michigan last month.

AP Photo Former players on Michigan State's 1979 national championship team, including Magic Johnson, front row from left, Greg Kelser, Ron Charles and Terry Donnelly were honored Saturday in East Lansing.

“A little bit of a flip of the script, in terms of them making plays in the last two minutes,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said.

Happ had 26 points and 10 rebounds in the January meeting, and it looked like he was headed to a similar output. He dominated early and had 14 points by halftime, but the 7-foot-1 Teske began containing him, and Happ picked up a crucial third foul early in the second half.

TUESDAY: The Badgers host Michigan State in another matchup with significant implications for the Big Ten title race. The Wolverines play at Penn State.

MSU ends skid

EAST LANSING (AP) — Magic Johnson was back at Michigan State, joining his teammates to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of winning the national championship.

The Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers president had plenty of opportunities to flash his familiar smile.

Nick Ward had 22 points and Matt McQuaid scored a season-high 18, leading the ninth-ranked Spartans to a 79-55 win over Minnesota on Saturday to keep the festivities positive.

“That’s why you come to places like this,” McQuaid said. “This place is special.”

The Spartans (19-5, 10-3 Big Ten) ended a three-game losing streak, their longest skid in two years.

Ward, in particular, started the game inspired and appeared to stay motivated to bounce back from his previous home game. He was 1 of 9 at the free throw line, including a miss that would have put his team ahead late in regulation, and the Spartans were 8 of 22 as a team in a 79-75 overtime loss to Indiana last Sunday.

Ward opened game with a basket, grabbed eight of his nine rebounds over the first 20 minutes, and closed the first half with a block to help Michigan State lead Minnesota 35-24. The junior forward made the first two shots after halftime and the Spartans went on to lead by 28 points midway through the second half.

“I’ll give Nick Ward credit,” coach Tom Izzo said. “We got to figure out how to keep that going.”

Michigan State, which has struggled to stay healthy, may have another injury concern.

Senior forward Kenny Goins played just 7 minutes in the first half and didn’t play after halftime because of a bruise on his left elbow. X-rays were negative, but Izzo doesn’t know if or how long Goins will be out.

Howard stars

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Markus Howard scored 38 points and No. 10 Marquette hung on at the buzzer, edging No. 14 Villanova 66-65 Saturday and handing the Wildcats their first Big East Conference loss.

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