EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Brynn Forbes scored 17 points and Matt Costello finished a point shy of a double-double (9 points, 14 rebounds) as fifth-ranked Michigan State sprinted past Illinois 79-54 on Thursday night in the Spartans' Big Ten home opener this season.
The Spartans looked right at home in their first game at the Breslin Center since a win against Florida on December 13, assisting on 26 of 33 field goals.
Deyonta Davis and Matt McQuaid added 10 off the bench for Michigan State (15-1, 2-1), who moved to 3-1 without Denzel Valentine in the lineup. The senior National Player of the Year candidate could return from a knee injury on Sunday when the Spartans visit Penn State (10-6, 1-2).
