Michigan State University
Central Mich
MSU Women's Basketball Downs Central Michigan, 81-52
12/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Behind a 15-point, 11-rebound performance by sophomore center Jennifer Callier, the Michigan State Spartans posted an 81-52 victory over Central Michigan on Wednesday evening (Dec. 20) at the Breslin Center.
With the win, the Spartans closed out their non-conference schedule with a 6-5 mark while CMU falls to 2-7.
"I was pleased with how we bounced back after Sunday's game (at Dayton)," said MSU Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. "We need to take this momentum and learn from it."
The Spartans, who lead the Big Ten in field goal percent defense, held the Chippewas to just 31.7 percent (19-of-60) shooting from the field and only 25.0 percent (5-of-20) from the three-point line. MSU also converted 19 CMU turnovers into 28 points. Meanwhile, the Spartans shot 53.1 percent (34-of-64) from the field and dished out a season-best 31 assists.
The Spartans had four players in double figures led by Jennifer Callier with 15 points. Abby Salscheider and Candice Jackson added 12 points apiece, while Erin Skelly came off the bench to contribute nine.
"We want balance," said McCallie. " For our future success in the Big Ten, it will take the effort of balance and fighting for consistency."
With the score tied at 19, the Spartans went on a 22-2 run to open up a 41-21 advantage with 1:51 left in the first half. Candice Jackson led MSU during the run with seven of her 12 points. The Spartans went into the locker room at the half with a commanding 43-26 lead.
The second half saw much of the same from MSU as the Spartans took a 27-point lead (58-31) off a Jennifer Callier layup at the 12:47 mark. The Spartans continued to add to their lead, taking a 33-point advantage (76-43) on a pair of Callier free throws with 2:33 remaining. Callier added 11 of her career-high 15 points in the second half.
The Spartans will take an 11-day break for the Christmas holidays before returning to action at Indiana on Dec. 31 to start Big Ten Conference play. The game can be heard live on The Fan 730 AM - WVFN and on the internet at www.msuspartans.com.
MSU Notebook -- MSU played its fifth game without senior forward Becky Cummings. Cummings suffered a torn plantar fascia against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 3. Cummings is averaging 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds as well as shooting 62.5 percent (35-of-56) from the field.
-- Sophomore center Jennifer Callier posted her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The 15 points tied her career best while the 11 rebounds were a career best.
-- Junior forward Abby Salscheider finished with a season-high 12 points.
