Sports: Spartans, Pistons win

College Basketball
No.13 Michigan State come from behind to beat the No.5 Kansas Jayhawks 79-73 in the Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago. Denzel Valentine put up a 29-point, 12-rebound and 12-assist triple-double. Kansas had a 13-point lead twice in the first half.

The Spartans rallied in the second half outscoring the Jayhawks by 12. Bryn Forbes scored 13 points, and Matt Costello chipped in with 10 for MSU, who improved to 2-and-0 with the win. The Spartans are back in action Friday when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Broadcast time is 6pm on Mix 104.9 WBXX. The Tom Izzo Show airs tonight at 7 on WBCK.   MSU hosts EMU this Monday at 6pm on WBCK. (Be listening for your chance to win two tickets on WBCK).

The Western Michigan men’s basketball team beat San Diego 74-62 to win their home opener. Tucker Haymond led WMU with a game-high 17 points.

The Michigan basketball team plays Xavier this Friday night.

Women’s Basketball

Albion JV’s 70, KCC 66

Pistons

The Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavs 104-99 at the Palace.   Detroit came to life in the fourth quarter outscoring the Cavaliers by 11 as Detroit snapped a four-game losing streak. Andre Drummond scored 25 points and added in 18 rebounds. Reggie Jackson posted 23 with 12 assists and six boards. The Pistons' next game is Friday at Minnesota.

Red Wings

The Red Wings begin a two-game home stand tonight as the Capitals come to Joe Louis Arena. Detroit will also host the LA Kings on Friday.

Volleyball

Three area volleyball teams advance to this week’s State semi-finals at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena. Class D No. 2-ranked St. Philip beat Mendon at Lakeview High School. It took four sets, as St. Phillip lost the third set 10-25 but roared back with a 25-8 fourth set to advance to the state semi-final game. Abby McKinzie led the effort for St. Philip with 14 kills, 18 digs and once ace. The Fighting Tigers will play top-ranked Plymouth Christian in Thursday's 2 p.m. state semifinal at Kellogg Arena.

Class B Harper Creek beat Coopersville in 3. Charley Andrews had a team-high 22 kills to go along with 13 digs and three blocks. Olivia Leson had 19 kills and 14 digs. Katie Wade recorded 47 assists. The Beavers will play in the Class B semifinals this Friday at 7:15 p.m. against No. 8-ranked North Branch at the Kellogg Arena.

Class C No. 1 ranked Bronson beat Grand Rapids North Pointe Christian in 3. Bronson will face Traverse City St. Francis this Friday at 2 p.m.

High School Football

St. Phillip plays Powers North Central at Greenville on Friday night for the 8-Player Division crown. Broadcast time is 6:35pm on WBCK.

Coldwater plays Chelsea at the state semi-final this Saturday at 1pm at Jackson’s Withington Stadium. The winner heads to the finals at Ford Field.

College Football

The Western Michigan (6-4, 5-1) football team will play the fourth of its five straight midweek games tonight at Northern Illinois.

Michigan State Spartans takes on unbeaten Ohio State in Columbus this Saturday …2pm on WBCK. Thursday at 7pm, it’s the Mark Dantonio Show on WBCK.

Michigan is on the road at Penn State this Saturday…11am on Mix 104-9.

Nascar

The field for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship is set. Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. and Jeff Gordon will battle it out for the title Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Lions

The Lions are home to play Oakland this Sunday. 12 pm on WBCK. Josh Wilson's season is over. One day after Lions coach Jim Caldwell announced the veteran cornerback had a "significant" injury, the team has decided to place Wilson on injured reserve. Taking Wilson's place on the roster will reportedly be Bill Bentley, according to the Detroit Free Press. A former third-round draft pick for the Lions, Bentley was released in June.