Michigan State University
Michigan State vs. Boston College
Michigan State Falls In Championship Game of MSU Chevrolet Classic
11/18/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State used a strong second-half effort but fell just short in upsetting the No. 22-ranked Boston College Eagles, 63-61, in the championship game of the 2000 Spartan Chevrolet Classic on Saturday night (Nov. 18) at the Breslin Center.
Boston College carried the play through out the first half, opening up a 15-point lead (38-23) with 3:06 to go. Junior forward Rachel Byars carried the Eagles in the opening stanza, recording 21 of her game-high 27 points.
MSU started to make their move, going on a 10-2 run to close the first half. Senior guard Christie Pung came off the bench and helped spark the Spartan rally with five points. MSU headed into the locker room at halftime, trailing by just seven (40-33).
BC opened the second half on a 5-2 run, before five quick points by MSU's Donita Johnson and Christie Pung which closed the gap to five (45-40) with 14:26 remaining.
The two teams battled back and forth as the Spartans pulled within one (48-47) on a Pung three-point field goal with 9:33 remaining. However, Boston College answered the Spartan rally with a 6-0 run of their own to take a 53-47 lead with 7:59 to go.
Boston College and Michigan State continued to battle as the teams exchanged baskets. BC held a 61-59 lead with 47 seconds remaining, before Becky Cummings put back a missed shot by Candice Jackson to tie the game at 61 with 4.1 seconds remaining. MSU's Vnemina Reese was called for the reach-in foul on the ensuing play, and MSU Chevrolet Classic Tournament MVP Rachel Byars converted both free throws for the 63-61 win with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Vnemina Reese led the Spartans with a career-high 15 points. Christie Pung added 12 points, while Becky Cummings finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Boston College (2-0 overall) was led by tournament MVP Rachel Byars with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds. Amber Jacobs and Janelle McManus added 14 points each for the Eagles.
Michigan State (1-1 overall) heads to the Tallahassee Democrat Seminole Classic next Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 25-26). MSU will face Virginia Tech in the opening round on Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. and will play either Chicago State or Florida State on Nov. 26.
MSU Chevrolet Classic All-Tournament Team
Rachel Byars, Boston College (MVP)
Becky Cummings, Michigan State
Vnemina Reese, Michigan State
Amber Jacobs, Boston College
Janet Holt, Tennessee Tech
Jolie McKieman, Arkansas State
MSU-BC Notebook Boston College set a new MSU Chevrolet Classic two-game tournament record with 15 made three-point field goals. BC broke the previous mark of 14, set by Syracuse in 1988.
Sophomore guard Vnemina Reese recorded a career-high 15 points in the loss to Boston College. Reese breaks her previous best of 14, set against SMU on Nov. 27, 1998.
Freshman forward Julie Pagel set a new career high with nine rebounds. She breaks her previous best of eight, set against Arkansas State on Nov 17.
