Michigan State University
Athletes In Action (EXH.)
Women's Basketball Cruises Past Athletes In Action, 94-67
11/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 2, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Liz Shimek scored 28 points and went a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line as the Michigan State women's basketball team cruised past Athletes in Action, 94-67, Wednesday night in the exhibition opener. Fellow senior Lindsay Bowen drained six 3-pointers and collected 22 points while going 8-for-12 from the field. MSU led by as 37 points in the second half.
Shimek, a preseason candidate for the Wade Trophy, dominated inside all night. In addition to her game-high 28 points, she grabbed nine boards, dished out three assists and notched two steals.
"I think we've improved since the Green and White game," said Shimek. "We still have a lot to work on, our defense was a little soft. They made a run in the second half, and that was all about us not talking, not communicating. They played a set offense that they've probably been running for a while, so that was good for our defense."
The Spartans quickly opened a 16-2 advantage at the 13:21 mark in the first half. MSU built its advantage to 20 points at 42-22 heading into halftime, led by Bowen's 11 points.
Athletes in Action went on a 17-9 run out of halftime to cut the Spartan lead to 51-39, but that's as close as AIA would get, as MSU scored 39 of the next 53 points to go up 90-53 at the 4:36 mark.
"I think it was a great exhibition for us," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "I think Liz and Lindsay led the way for us with their intensity and the way they played, and I think a lot of people got the opportunity to get out there and get a feel for things."
Freshman forward Aisha Jefferson showed promise in her first outing, going 4-for-4 from the field and scoring 11 points in addition to collecting six boards. She was 3-for-3 with nine points in the first half. Junior guard Rene Haynes also scored in double-figures, tallying 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
"Aisha is a very talented player," McCallie said. "That's why she's our first post off the bench right now, because in practice she's been rebounding and going after the ball."
Heather Cusick led Athletes in Action with 19 points, while Valerie Gustafson scored 14.
The Spartans conclude the exhibition season Sunday, Nov. 13 vs. Grand Valley State at 2 p.m.
