The Wildcats just couldn’t catch the Spartans.

By the time Northwestern scored its first field goal against Michigan State, the Spartans were already ahead 11-0. NU pulled to within two midway through the first half, but that was as close as they would get in a 73-61 loss at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Michigan State controlled the entire game, and each time the Cats tried to claw back the Spartans’ double-digit leads proved too much to overcome.

“We had to play catchup the whole game and it’s hard,” NU guard Jitim Young said. “It wears you down.”

The Spartans held a comfy 42-25 lead at the intermission.

“It just seemed like a lot to overcome at halftime,” Carmody said. “Our team looked a little weak and a few guys were dribbling and trying to make their own plays.”

In the second half, Michigan State didn’t make a single three-pointer, but that didn’t matter.

The Cats got to within seven with 1:27 remaining, but by that time NU was intentionally fouling the Spartans.

And Michigan State didn’t miss free throws, ending the game with five straight.

“Everyone at home usually makes a run and so we made our run and we got it to seven, 68-61,” Carmody said. “But 20 points, you can’t overcome that.”

Carmody said he emphasized not falling behind by more than five points, but his team was unable to sustain any momentum after cutting the Spartans lead to seven.

The Cats did appear to have more energy in the second half, knocking down 61 percent of their shots. But down the stretch, NU’s misses and Michigan State’s makes sealed the result.

“I don’t think we found the right guys in transition and we were a little slow rotating,” guard Jitim Young said. “You got guys on a team that need just an inch of room to release the ball. They had 10 feet releasing shots and they made them.”