As the ball sailed helplessly toward the hoop, no one watching could have expected it to go in.

Moments earlier, Michigan State guard Eric Snow launched an off-balance, three-point desperation prayer after teammate Daimon Beathea saved the ball just before the 35-second shot clock expired. The buzzer sounded, and the ball somehow found its way through the hoop.

Snow's shot epitomized Michigan State's day -- and the strength of its backcourt -- as the Spartans humbled Penn State, 68-53, in Rec Hall on Saturday.

"I think he's more valuable this year than in the past," Spartan guard Shawn Respert said of Snow. "Specifically, he keeps the defense to respect him for his shot and just kind of gives me a little bit more room to get off my shot when he drives and kicks."

Snow drove the lane on several occasions by either finding an open shot or an open Respert spotting up from the outside. In either case, Snow's decision usually led to Michigan State points.

"The reason Michigan State is a top ten team is because they are a multi-dimensional team," Lion Coach Bruce Parkhill said. "(Snow) makes Respert even more effective because of his ability to draw people, his ability to finish if you don't help out. And his quickness and athleticism is tremendous."

Snow and Respert accounted for nearly half of the Spartans' score and all but two of the team's assists, connecting for 31 points and 19 assists.

"It wasn't the same pressure they put on me back at home in East Lansing," Respert said. "Now, they kind of left me on the eye a little bit more so it let me get a couple looks in the first half."

Respert got his looks and made the most of them. Despite struggling somewhat in the first half, both Respert and Snow exploded in the second. The Lions failed to contain the two the rest of the game.

Individually, Respert poured in 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point land, and dished out six assists in just 29 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, Snow added 10 points and 13 assists, a Big Ten assist record for the season. The 13 assists place Snow in a third-place tie for most assists recorded by a Penn State opponent. It ranks second in Michigan State history to Earvin "Magic" Johnson's 14 assists in one game.

"They're one of the best, if not the best," Lion point guard Dan Earl said. "Respert gets all the recognition, and rightfully so. He's a great, great player -- possibly the best in the nation.

"Snow . . . he's a great defensive player, has a lot of assists and is a great floor leader."

Lion center John Amaechi had a simpler interpretation.

"They have a lot of players who know their roles around a central figure who is outstanding," he said, "and I don't think we have either."