No. 20 Michigan beats No. 13 Michigan State 79-70, takes over Big Ten lead

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Michigan guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) shoots over the defense of Michigan State forward Gavin Schilling, left, and guard Travis Trice during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Nik Stauskas scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half, and No. 20 Michigan beat No. 13 Michigan State 79-70 on Sunday to take over first place in the Big Ten.

Caris LeVert added 23 points for the Wolverines (19-7, 11-3), who won both regular-season meetings against their in-state rivals. Michigan has now won six of its last eight against Michigan State.

The Spartans (22-6, 11-4) led by as many as 11 in the first half, but Michigan State was only up 36-34 at halftime. Then Stauskas and LeVert led a second-half charge. The Wolverines trailed 52-51 before going on a decisive 17-4 run that sent the Crisler Center crowd into delirium.