Michigan State University
Buffalo
Women's Basketball Advances to Spartan Chevrolet Classic Championship Game
11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The MSU women's basketball team used a strong, second half to defeat Buffalo, 50-42 in the second game of the Spartan Chevrolet Classic on Friday evening (Nov. 16) at the Breslin Center. With the win, the Spartans advance to the title game of the Spartan Chevrolet Classic on Saturday night.
Buffalo entered the locker room with a slim 19-16 advantage at the half. The teams combined for 25 first-half turnovers, while MSU shot just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from the field and Buffalo, 38.1 percent (8-of-21) in the first half.
MSU came out of the locker room and scored four quick points (two by Vnemina Reese and two by Julie Pagel) to take a 20-19 lead. Both teams exchanged baskets, before the Bulls took a four-point lead (37-33) on four straight points by Rachel Martin with 10:13 remaining.
The Spartans took the lead for good (40-39) on a three-point basket by Syreeta Bromfield with 7:09 to go. The Bulls would pull within two, twice. However, the Spartans scored the final six points in capturing the victory.
Sophomore forward Julie Pagel and freshman forward Joy Johnson paced the MSU attack with 11 points each. Junior guard Vnemina Reese added eight points, while junior forward Syreeta Bromfield finished with seven.
Jennifer Kochendorfer led Buffalo with 15 points, while Rachel Martin added 10.
In the first game of the Spartan Chevrolet Classic, UCLA beat Liberty, 62-55. The Bruins trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half. UCLA took its first lead of the game (43-42) at the 8:09 mark on a jumper by Malika Leatham. The Bruins finished the game on a 17-13 run to seal the victory.
Michelle Grecco led UCLA with 24 points, while Malika Leatham added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Liberty was led by Maribeth Feenstra with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Michigan State will face ULCA in the title game of the Spartan Chevrolet Classic on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m., at the Breslin Center. Liberty and Buffalo will place in the consolation game of the Spartan Chevrolet Classic, at 6 p.m.
