Kalin Lucas scored 18 points and Michigan State closed the game on a 14-1 run to rally past Minnesota, 53-48, in a key Big Ten Conference game on Tuesday night in Minneapolis, Minn.

Draymond Green added seven points, 10 rebounds and four steals for the Spartans, who have won three of four to move into fourth place in the Big Ten.

Michigan State (16-11, 8-7 Big Ten) trailed 47-39 with 4:33 remaining before holding Minnesota (17-10, 6-9) without a field goal the rest of the game.

Keith Appling pulled the Spartans even at 48-48 by making a pair of free throws with 1:22 remaining, then after a foul by Minnesota’s Blake Hoffarber, Appling hit two more free throws with 27.5 seconds left to give Michigan State the lead for good. The Spartans made seven of eight free throws in the final 1:22.

Trevor Mbakwe led the Golden Gophers with 13 points and 10 rebounds, his 16th double-double of the season, while freshman Chip Armelin added 12, including 10 in a 16-2 run that gave the Golden Gophers a 47-39 lead.

Minnesota’s NCAA Tournament at-large hopes took a hit, losing for the sixth time in its last seven games.