EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Northwestern gave Michigan State everything it had but the Wildcats came up just short Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center, falling 84-77 in overtime.
Bryant McIntosh led NU with 18 points while Tre Demps contributed 17.
Northwestern struggled offensively out the gates while MSU scored the first nine points of the contest. Cobb provided the Wildcats with a boost off the bench as he scored 7 points to help NU close the deficit to 13-9 seven minutes into the opening period.
However, the Spartans responded with 10 consecutive points to extend their lead to 14. Cobb stayed red-hot, hitting his second triple, before McIntosh hit two free throws make it 23-14.
Northwestern continued to inch closer when Dave Sobolewski knocked down a 3-pointer in transition to cut the Spartans' advantage to 27-20 with 7:15 to go in the half.
The deficit was six when Nathan Taphorn knocked down consecutive treys to tie the score, 30-30, capping a 21-7 run. The Wildcats eventually took their first lead of the game when Alex Olah scored on a layup with 3:22 remaining.
The game was tied when McIntosh (12 first-half points) connected on a triple, giving Northwestern a 39-36 advantage. The 'Cats knocked down 7 of their first 11 3-point attempts in the opening stanza as the teams carried a 40-40 deadlock into the intermission.
The Wildcats shot 57.7 percent (15-26) from the field over the opening 20 minutes of play while Michigan State was close behind at 57.1 percent (16-28).
The Spartans led by three early in the second half, but Taphorn's third 3-point capped a seven-point run that put the visitors up 53-49 with 13:15 to go.
Michigan State answered right back, using a decisive 19-2 run over the next six minutes to go in front 66-55. Five straight points by Demps got the Wildcats back in the game, 66-60, with six minutes still remaining.
The deficit was still six when Vic Law and Demps hit consecutive triples before Olah scored on a layup to put Northwestern up 70-68 with 2:26 left, making it a 15-2 run for the Wildcats.
MSU tied it before Demps gave NU the lead back with two free throws with 28 seconds remaining. The Spartans tied it on two Denzel Valentine free throws with 18.5 seconds to go. The Wildcats had a chance to play for the final shot, but Demps couldn't connect, sending the game to overtime.
Michigan State scored the first in overtime on two free throws by Gavin Schilling and a jumper by Bryn Forbes. Northwestern had an opportunity at the rim but couldn't convert before Travis Trice hit a tough jumper from the top of the key. The lead grew to eight before Demps hit a 3-pointer but the 'Cats weren't able to make it all the way back.
The Wildcats shot 47.3 percent from the field in the contest, including 54.3 percent through regulation against an MSU squad that came in allowing its foes to shoot just 37.2 percent from the field while surrendering 60.1 points per game.
Northwestern is back in action at 8 p.m. Wednesday as it hosts Illinois at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting NUsports.com or calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
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