Michigan State University
Northwestern
Women's Basketball Beats Northwestern, 77-68
2/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Michigan State women's basketball squad snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 77-68 victory over Northwestern on Thursday night (Feb. 15) at the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. With the win, the Spartans improved to 9-15 overall and 3-10 in the Big Ten, while Northwestern falls to 4-20 overall, 0-14 in the Big Ten.
"It was a total team effort tonight," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "We played hard and together for 40 minutes. I was very proud of our second half defense and the intensity we brought to the floor. It made the difference in the game. It was great to see different players step up to the free throw line down the stretch with confidence and make the shots."
The Spartans came out firing in the second half, going on a 10-0 run the first 6:08. MSU held Northwestern without a basket the first 10:46 of the second half. However, Northwestern pulled to within four with 15 seconds left. Free throws were the difference in the game as Michigan State connected on 26-of-35 free throw attempts, with the team's final 23 points coming from the line to seal the victory.
Four Spartans scored in double figures led by Vnemina Reese with 22 points, while Julie Pagel added 16. Emily Butler led Northwestern with 26 points.
Michigan State returns to action at Illinois Sunday (Feb. 28) with tip-off in Champaign at 2 p.m. CST. The game can be heard live on the radio - The FAN 730 AM - WVFN - or on the internet at www.msuspartans.com.
Spartan Notebook -- With the 77-68 win, MSU snapped a nine-game losing streak. The nine straight losses tied the school record for consecutive losses, also set from Jan. 10, 1976 to Feb. 3, 1976.
-- MSU's last win came on Jan. 7, 2001 at Minnesota -- a 66-65 victory.
-- MSU's 77 points were the most for the Spartans since scoring 81 in an 81-52 victory over Central Michigan on Dec. 20, 2000.
-- Vnemina Reese finished with 22 points, one short of her career best of 23. In addition, Reese shot 80 percent (8-of-10) from the free throw line.
-- The Northwestern game marked a homecoming for first-year MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. McCallie, then Palumbo, was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats (1984-87). She All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors and Big Ten First-Team Academic honors as a senior in 1987.
