EAST LANSING, Mich. – Drew Neitzel scored nine of his 15 points during a key stretch in the second half, helping No. 8 Michigan State beat Illinois 51-41 and set a school record on Wednesday night.

The Spartans (19-2, 7-1 Big Ten) have their best 21-game record in the program’s 109-year history.

The Illini (10-12, 2-7) didn’t make it easy.

Illinois went on a 17-2 run after a rough start, led at halftime and responded to Neitzel’s scoring flurry by taking a 32-31 lead.

The Spartans took control with a 9-2 run, then took advantage of shooting free throws while the Illini struggled at the line to hurt their comeback hopes.

Illinois reserves Mike Tisdale and Calvin Brock each scored seven points.

Raymar Morgan and Goran Suton scored 10 points apiece before fouling out for the Spartans, who have won all 13 games at home this season and 17 straight dating to last year.

Michigan State lost to the Illini the only other time it had a chance to be 19-2, during the 2000-01 season, when it went on to win the Big Ten title for the fourth straight time and advance to a third consecutive Final Four.

Both teams have been conference powers in recent years, but Illinois is struggling – in part because freshman star Eric Gordon chose to play for Indiana after committing to the Illini. Illinois might finish with a losing season for just the second time in 16 years.

Illinois did not have a double-digit scorer against the Spartans, who limited Shaun Pruitt and Trent Meacham to eight points combined after the pair entered the game averaging 23-plus points.

Michigan State played slightly better during a start marred by missed shots, turnovers and fouls.

The Spartans scored the first six points while holding Illinois scoreless for nearly 5 minutes.