Michigan State University
Oakland
Hot-Shooting Spartans Dump Oakland, 88-77
12/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2002
ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball shot a blistering 65.3 percent from the floor, sinking 32-of-49 shots, en route to an 88-77 victory at Oakland Thursday night. The Spartans, who improved to 4-3, made 17-of-24 shots in the second half (70.8 percent) to overcome a 39-37 halftime deficit.
Senior Syreeta Bromfield (Kingston, Jamaica) scores 23 points and added nine rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead the Spartans. Freshman Lindsay Bowen (Dansville) added 19 points for MSU, draining seven of her 10 shots including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Sophomore Kelli Roehrig (Papillion, Neb.) added 14 points while freshman Liz Shimek (Empire) had 10 and six rebounds.
"It was a great second half," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie, who won for the 200th time in her career. "We played as a team in the second half. A lot of people stepped up in the second half and we learned a lot of things today."
Both teams shot well in the opening stanza, as MSU made 60 percent of its shots and Oakland shot 59 percent. But the Grizzlies, who led by as much as seven in the first period, had the advantage by making nine of their 15 three-point shots. Oakland led 33-26, but a three-pointer by Bromfield pulled MSU within one at 36-35 late in the half before the Spartans settled for a two-point halftime deficit.
The Spartans started slow in the second half, turning the ball over three times in their first four possessions, but then caught fire. Sophomore Kristin Haynie (Mason) made a steal that Bromfield converted into a layup to give MSU its first lead since 4-3 at 46-44. MSU led 50-49 when a Roehrig started a 20-2 run that put the game away. Five Spartans scored during the run which was capped by a Bowen three that put MSU on top 70-51 with 6:15 left.
Oakland continued its three-point onslaught, closing within 76-67 with 2:55 left, but another Bromfield bomb held off the Grizzlies. Oakland did inch within eight at 79-71, but MSU made five of six free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Michigan State held a 27-21 edge on the boards, and had a big advantage from the free throw line. MSU sank 17-of-22 free throws while Oakland attempted just six free throws, making four. MSU had 14 turnovers while Oakland, which shot 52.7 percent for the game, had 13.
After playing seven games in 14 days, Michigan State will take a much-needed break. The Spartans' next game will be Dec. 17 at Georgia.
Spartan Notebook:
* The 88 points scored by Michigan State are the most by a Spartan team since MSU posted a 101-52 win against Chicago State Nov. 26, 2000.
* Oakland hit 15 three-point baskets, setting a record for most three-pointers in a game by a Michigan State opponent.
* Bromfield's 23 points pushed her over the 600-point mark for her career. Bromfield now has 616 points in her second year at MSU.
* Joanne P. McCallie now owns a career record of 200-107 in her 11th year as a head coach.
