Michigan State defeated Wisconsin, 76-66, for the sixth-straight time, putting them a game and a half behind first place Penn State in the Big Ten standings. The No. 23 Spartans are now 18-8 overall and 10-3 in conference play.

The offense was balanced with six Spartans scoring in double digits. Becca Mills led the team with 15 points. Tori Jankoska followed with 14 points along with season-highs of seven assists and five steals. Aerial Powers added 13 points and eight rebounds. Annalise Pickrel scored 12 points and Jasmine Hines and Brandais Agee came off the bench scoring 10 points each.

The game started off fairly even with the lead switching back and forth. MSU took the lead for good in the middle of the first half, but the Badgers kept the game close.

Wisconsin was able to cut MSU’s lead to 70-66 with 1:53 left in the game. Mills scored with just under a minute remaining and Powers hit four clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.

Guard Taylor Wurtz and forward Michala Johnson scored 15 points each for the Badgers.

The No. 23 Michigan State Spartans will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Monday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

Sierra Williams is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports.

Photo: Nubia Buckingham/Impact Sports