Michigan State University
ULCA
Women's Basketball Captures Title At Spartan Chevrolet Classic
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team captured the title at the 2001 Spartan Chevrolet Classic on Saturday evening (Nov. 17) at the Breslin Center. MSU posted a 67-63 victory over the UCLA Bruins in the championship game behind a solid team effort.
"This was a nice accomplishment for our team," said second-year head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "I tip my hat off to our players. I thought we did what we needed to do to be successful."
UCLA jumped out to an early nine-point lead, 17-8 at the 11:11 mark. However, the Spartans started to play some tenacious defense and slowly cut into Bruins' advantage. A 12-0 run by the Spartans gave MSU a three-point lead (20-17) with 3:28 to play.
A three-pointer by Cortne Ellis gave MSU a 23-17 advantage with just under two minutes to go in the first half. The Spartans continued their solid defensive effort, holding UCLA to just four points in the final 10 minutes of the first half. MSU entered the locker room at the half with a 25-21 advantage.
The second half was a completely different story. UCLA and MSU exchanged basket after basket as neither team could garner more than a six-point advantage. The Bruins held a six-point lead (53-49) with 6:18 to play. MSU went on a 6-3 run to knot the game at 56 all after a 3-point basket by Candice Jackson.
MSU sealed the victory with six straight free throws down the stretch, including four straight by freshman guard Kristin Haynie and a pair by junior guard/forward Syreeta Bromfield.
Three Spartans scored in double figures led by Syreeta Bromfield with 17 points. Kristin Haynie finished with 16 points, while Cortne Ellis added 10. Sophomore forward Julie Pagel finished with nine points and nine rebounds. Bromfield, Haynie and Pagel were named to the Spartan Chevrolet Classic All-Tournament team.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Michelle Greco added a game-high 36 points for the Bruins. All-Tournament honoree Malika Leatham finished with 10 points.
In the Spartan Chevrolet Classic consolation game, Liberty posted a 59-40 victory over Buffalo. Liberty led by as many as 11 points in the first half in posting its first win of the season. The Bulls, under the direction of former Spartan assistant coach Cheryl Dozier, fall to 0-2 overall.
The Lady Flames used balanced scoring in the victory, led by guard Laura Rollyson with 17 points. Daina Stagaitiene came off the bench to add 10 points and six assists.
Buffalo was led by Kristina McMeeken-Ruscoe with 17 points. Jennifer Kochendorfer added nine points and nine rebounds.
Spartan Chevrolet Classic All-Tournament Team
Julie Pagel, Michigan State
Kristin Haynie, Michigan State
Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan State
Malika Leatham, UCLA
Laura Rollyson, Liberty
Michelle Greco, UCLA (Most Valuable Player)
