Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called out his star player at halftime yesterday.

Draymond Green’s response exceeded even Izzo’s expectations.

Green had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and almost single-handedly shut down Purdue’s Robbie Hummel in the second half, leading No. 7 Michigan State to a 76-62 victory.

“I told him, ‘We’re going to put the team on your back,’ and boy did he answer the bell,” Izzo said. “We wanted the ball in his hands a lot, and we put it there. I just thought he made some big-time plays.”

Green’s spirited effort couldn’t have come at a better time for the Spartans. The victory gives Michigan State (22-5, 11-3) a one-game lead in the Big Ten title race over No. 6 Ohio State and No. 17 Michigan with four games remaining — at Minnesota, home against Nebraska, at No. 18 Indiana and a season-ending rematch in East Lansing against the Buckeyes.

Green got 14 of his 20 points in the second half and found a way to limit Hummel’s scoring chances without getting into foul trouble. Hummel finished with 24 points for the Boilermakers (17-10, 7-7) but was limited to six in the second half. The Boilermakers shot 1 for 23 to open the second half.

Men’s highlights

No. 2 Syracuse 74, Rutgers 64 — C.J. Fair scored a career-high 21 points and Scoop Jardine added 17 for Syracuse (27-1, 14-1), which leads Marquette and Notre Dame by 21/2 games in the Big East standings. Gilvydas Biruta tied a career high with 21 points for Rutgers (12-15, 4-10).

No. 5 Duke 75, Boston College 50 — Seth Curry scored 18 for Duke (23-4, 10-2), which pulled into a tie for first in the Atlantic Coast Conference with North Carolina and Florida State. Boston College is 8-19, 3-10.

No. 15 Wisconsin 65, Penn State 55 — Josh Gasser had 15 points and Jared Berggren 13 for Wisconsin (20-7, 9-5 Big Ten), which has won eight of its past 10 games. Tim Frazier had 20 points for Penn State (12-16, 4-11).

Iowa 78, No. 18 Indiana 66 — Matt Gaten scored a career-high 30 points, and Iowa (14-13, 6-8 Big Ten) ended Indiana’s three-game winning streak. Cody Zeller had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Hoosiers (20-7, 8-7).

Tennessee State 68, Miami University 61 — Julian Mavunga had 15 points for Miami (8-17), which blew a nine-point deficit and was outscored 42-26 in the second half. Robert Covington had 14 points for Tennessee State (19-10).

Women’s highlights

No. 6 University of Miami 67, Florida State 60 — Riquna Williams scored 24 points for Miami (24-3, 13-1), which moved into a tie with Duke for first place in the ACC standings. Florida State (13-15, 5-9) has lost four games in a row for the first time since 2003-04.

No. 10 Delaware 40, Drexel 39 — Elena Delle Donne had 12 points and 14 rebounds, including a leaner from the wing with two seconds left that helped Delaware (24-1, 15-0) clinch the Colonial Athletic Association title. The Blue Hens have won 14 straight games. Drexel is 13-12, 9-6.

No. 16 Nebraska 68, Wisconsin 59 — Jordan Hooper had 19 points and 18 rebounds for Nebraska (20-6, 9-5 Big Ten), which ended a three-game losing streak. Wisconsin is 8-18, 4-10.

Michigan State 67, No. 17 Purdue 52, OT — Becca Mills had 17 points for Michigan State (17-10, 9-5 Big Ten), which scored the first 11 points in overtime. Brittany Rayburn had 17 points for Purdue (19-8, 9-5).