Michigan State posted a 73-52 win over Butler Wednesday night as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

Butler falls to 3-1 on the young season, while Michigan State improves to 2-1. It was the first match-up between the two schools since meeting in the 2010 Final Four.

The Gavitt Tipoff Games are an annual series between teams from the BIG EAST and Big Ten Conferences.

The Spartans' defense limited Butler to 29-percent shooting and only eight assists.

"We felt like we know who they (Michigan State) are and what they wanted to do," said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. "They really set the tone in the first four minutes of each half. I thought we had some moments and the effort was there, but we had some breakdowns."

Gabe Brown (19) and freshman Max Christie (18) combined for 37 points for the Spartans, who shot 47 percent from the field. Michigan State got to the free throw line 24 times, converting 19.

A 9-0 run gave Michigan State an early 22-8 run with 11:47 remaining in the first half. At that point in the contest, Butler was only 3-of-15 from the field. The Spartans then led 31-23 at the half.

Butler cut the lead to six (34-28) less than two minutes into the second half, but the lead was soon back to double figures and never closer.

Ty Groce led the Bulldogs with a season-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Chuck Harris added 13 points. Thirty (30) of Butler's 56 attempts were from three-point range; they made nine.

Bryce Nze played seven minutes in the first half before leaving the contest with a shoulder injury. He did not return and will be further evaluated in the coming days.

Butler celebrated the life of Xan Korman in a pregame recognition featuring his parents. The rising junior at Butler was tragically killed in August. He had grown close with many members of the Butler basketball program and larger Butler community, and was planning to assist the basketball program in a manager role for the 2021-22 season prior to his passing.

The Bulldogs next travel to Las Vegas for the Maui Invitational, opening Monday with a first-round match-up against No. 15 Houston.