Michigan State University
Grand Valley State (EXH.)
Spartans Hold Off Grand Valley State, 84-77
11/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Liz Shimek collected a double-double, producing 22 points and 12 rebounds, as the No. 10/11 Michigan State women's basketball team held off Grand Valley State, 84-77, Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center in the exhibition finale for the Spartans. The Spartans never trailed, but the Lakers - who reached the Elite Eight of the Division II Tournament and won a school-record 28 games last season - kept the game close the entire afternoon. Rene Haynes poured in 15 points, while Lindsay Bowen added 12. MSU, which went 2-0 in the exhibition season, opens the regular season Friday, Nov. 18 vs. UC Santa Barbara at the Breslin Center at 8 p.m.
"I think it was a great test," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "We want to bring the best out in people. I think for us it was a very good learning opportunity. It just shows you the excitement around women's basketball and the state of Michigan."
MSU led by 12 points at halftime and opened a 52-38 advantage on a Laura Hall layup to start the second half. The Lakers then went on a 13-2 run to cut the Spartan lead to 54-51 at the 15:28 mark, and the game stayed within seven points the rest of the way.
GVSU tied the game mid-way through the second half at 60-60 - for the first time since the score was 2-2 - but Bowen hit three 3-pointers in less than two minutes to put MSU up 70-65.
The Lakers, who defeated Division I foe Valparaiso last week 71-59, cut the margin to two points at the 4:32 mark and the 2:21 mark, but couldn't tie the game or take the lead. After a 3-pointer by Laker guard Crystal Zick made it 77-75, the Spartans went on a quick 5-0 spurt in 15 seconds, keyed by layups from Haynes and Shimek.
"Hats off to Grand Valley, I thought they played really tough and strong and hustled well," McCallie said. "They are an excellent team and they could probably beat a lot of teams, statewide and even nationwide. I wouldn't take anything away from Grand Valley, I think they could beat a lot of Division I teams."
Shimek once again dominated inside for the Spartans, going 10-of-20 from the field. Aisha Jefferson also played well inside, nearly delivering a double-double of her own. The freshman forward registered 10 points and nine rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting.
Victoria Lucas-Perry scored 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while Hall notched eight points and three boards in 15 minutes of action.
Julia Braseth led GVSU with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and went 10-for-16 from the field. Erika Ryskamp scored 20 points and hit four 3's, while Niki Reams scored 18 and went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line for the Lakers.
