No. 11 Michigan St. Cruises Past Vermont, 85-57

Dec. 21, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State had an easy time against one opponent from New England on Tuesday night, but immediately turned its attention to a women's basketball superpower from that region.

Kelli Roehrig matched her season-high with 23 points and Lindsay Bowen added 15 to lead the No. 11 Spartans (10-1) past Vermont 85-57, matching their best start in 31 years.

But Michigan State quickly switched its focus to next Wednesday's long-awaited visit to NCAA champion Connecticut, a game that could give an improving program instant respect.

"All throughout semester break, we've been thinking 'Connecticut,'" Roehrig said after 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 work at the line. "We know the challenge ahead of us, but will we be ready for it? You bet we will be."

Liz Shimek chipped in 14 points for the Spartans and Kristin Haynie added 13 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

"Some people don't think we can go out there and pull off a win at UConn," Haynie said. "But we've played at tough places before, like Minnesota and Notre Dame. The key is to jump on them from the start and take their crowd out of the game."

Michigan State jumped to a 16-6 lead, were up 43-30 at halftime and built their cushion to 33 points midway through the second half on the way to their sixth straight win and fifth in a row at home.

"I loved the leadership of our 'Super Four,'" Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said of Roehrig, Bowen, Shimek and Haynie. "I think it's great timing for next week.

"No coach ever thinks their team is totally ready, but I love our experience and the different environments we've been in."

Vermont's Brittney Cross, left, and Michigan State's Lindsay Bowen chase the ball in the second half.

Vermont (3-4) was led by Lani Boardman with 16 points and Katie McNamara with 14. But the Catamounts were outshot 50 percent to 32.8 percent from the field, outrebounded 47-31, and recorded just 12 assists to Michigan State's 22.

"You get down that much and your kids might pack it up and go home," said Vermont coach Sharon Dawley. "We competed to the end, but to go on the road and get killed is a little frustrating."

Michigan State trailed just once, 2-0.

The game was the first half of a double-header at Breslin Center, where the men later hosted UCLA before a sellout crowd.

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Players Mentioned

Lindsay Bowen

Liz Shimek