Michigan State University
Minnesota
Women's Basketball Falls To Minnesota, 70-69
1/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team couldn't hold onto the lead in the second half as Minnesota outscored the Spartans 21-to-10 down the stretch and escaped with a 70-69 victory over the Spartans on Monday night (Jan. 7) at the Breslin Center.
A Julie Pagel layup gave MSU a 59-49 lead with 7:13 to play. The Golden Gophers went out a 10-2 run in a span of 2:10 to pull within two (61-59). Sophomore guard Candice Jackson canned a three-point basket to give MSU a five-point cushion (64-59), but yet the Gophers would keep the game close closing the gap to two (65-63) with 2:36 to play.
Junior forward Syreeta Bromfield's free throws helped MSU regain that four-point lead, but six-straight points by Minnesota gave the Golden Gophers their first lead of the half (68-67) with 28 seconds to play.
Junior guard Vnemina Reese connected on a layup to give the Spartans the lead, 69-68, with 18 seconds remaining. However, Minnesota called a time out and Lindsay Whalen hit a driving layup with two seconds left to give the Gophers the 70-69 victory.
"It was an exciting game," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "Minnesota had a great shot at the end of the game. I have to tip my hat to No. 13 (Lindsay Whalen).
"I thought it was a poor defensive performance by our team. We did not play good team defense. They (Minnesota) had so many open jump shots. That's the bottom line. We weren't tough enough and we looked tired. You can't play tired in the Big Ten."
Early on the game seesawed back and fourth with neither team gaining more than a three-point advantage. The Spartans opened up a four-point advantage (25-21) on a three-point field goal by Abby Salscheider and gained a six-point lead (27-21) on a jumper by Candice Jackson.
The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch before MSU took a 10-point lead (37-27) on a layup by Jennifer Callier. The Golden Gophers hit a free throw down the stretch to close the gap to nine (37-28) at the break.
Junior Syreeta Bromfield led MSU with 20 points while Abby Salscheider and Kelli Roehrig each added 11. Kristin Haynie led the team with seven rebounds.
Minnesota had four players in double figures led by Lindsay Whalen with 16 points. Lindsay Lieser chipped in 15 points and Kadidja Andersson finished with 13.
The Spartans continue their homestand entertaining Wisconsin this Thursday (Jan. 10) at the Breslin Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Spartan Notebook
Senior forward Abby Salscheider scored a season-best 11 points.
Junior forward Syreeta Bromfield recorded her 11th game in double figure with 20 points. It also marked her second-straight game hitting the 20-point plateau.
MSU allowed a season-high 70 points against Minnesota. The 70 points allowed snapped a six-game streak where the Spartans held an opponent to under 60 points.
MSU held a 34-to-26 edge on the glass, including an 11-to-7 advantage on the offensive boards.
