EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State's Draymond Green made good on his guarantee against Michigan with the best game of his career in the series.
Green had 14 points and 16 rebounds - as many as his hated rival could manage - to lead the ninth-ranked Spartans to a 64-54 win Sunday against the 23rd-ranked Wolverines, ending a three-game losing streak in the rivalry.
"You can't say something and not back up your words," he said. "I'd be less of a man to guarantee something, promise something and not come out here and do what I can to back up my word."
The Spartans (18-5, 7-3) moved into sole possession of second place in the Big Ten behind third-ranked Ohio State.
"It was more about the rivalry than it was the Big Ten," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
For Green, it was really personal.
"I don't care where you're from, it never means as much as it does for the players in state and that's one of the reasons I believe in recruiting in-state guys," Izzo said. "Draymond didn't want to go out losing four in a row."
Michigan's best players, meanwhile, played poorly.
Tim Hardaway Jr. missed his first six shots and had a season-low four points with 1-for-10 shooting. Trey Burke had made one shot before his 3-pointer just before halftime pulled the Wolverines within eight points. Burke finished 4-for-11 and scored 11 points.
