Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Michigan St. Edged By No. 5 Wisconsin, 86-78 2OT
1/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan 10, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State knew Tamara Moore was Wisconsin's leader.
But the performance Moore put on Thursday night couldn't have been expected.
Moore scored 24 points and made seven big steals in 44 minutes to lead No. 5 Wisconsin over Michigan State 86-78 in double overtime. Michigan State's Syreeta Bromfield led the Spartans with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Jessie Stomski paced the Badgers with 27 points, which ties her season-best. After the game, a relieved Wisconsin coach Jane Albright couldn't say enough about Moore.
"I thought she was phenomenal," Albright said. "If she gets six steals instead of seven, we don't win. She picks her spots when to steal the ball."
Moore, a senior point guard, almost got Wisconsin (14-1, 5-0 Big Ten) a win in the first overtime. With the score tied 73-73, the Spartans were setting up for a final shot at the buzzer.
But Moore came from behind Bromfield, and wrestled the ball away. Wisconsin called timeout with 11.1 seconds remaining, but Kyle Black's 3-pointer rattled out, sending the game to a second overtime.
"With me, I know my offense isn't going to be there on certain nights," said Moore, who shot 7-of-17 from the floor. "But my defense has to be tough every night. Being a point guard, I have to be the leader of this team."
Michigan State falls to 10-5 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten.
The Spartans' Kristin Haynie said she learned a lot from playing against the experienced Moore.
"(Moore) gives you a lot of heat and hustle," said Haynie, who scored nine points in 42 minutes. "Once you get the ball you have to hold on tight. Hustling-wise, she is the best I have faced."
Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie was disappointed in her team's effort against Moore's swarming defense.
"It bothers me that we weren't tougher with the ball, so that fouls weren't called," McCallie said. "We didn't handle her."
McCallie was also impressed by Moore's offensive repertoire.
"It's such a nightmare trying to stop Moore when she gets into the paint," McCallie said.
Moore was 7-of-8 from the free throw line, and had five assists and five rebounds.
