Spartans Overpower Detroit 77-52

Dec. 7, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Liz Shimek didn't need much help to win, but she got it anyway.

Shimek scored a career-high 29 points in 32 minutes to help No. 13 Michigan State beat Detroit 77-52 on Wednesday night.

"Liz does what Liz does -- absolutely tremendous," Spartans coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "I can't say enough about her. And you can't print enough about her."

Shimek, the reigning co-Big Ten player of the week, was 12-for-17 from the field and led all rebounders with 12.

"Every time we focus on defense and rebounding, it leads to good offensive sets," Shimek said. "The key from now on is to be tougher and be as blue-collar as we can be."

Working inside and out with equal effectiveness, Shimek scored at least 26 points for the fourth time this season for Michigan State (5-2).

"When you play someone like Liz Shimek and you don't try to take half her game away, you're in for a long night," Titans coach Mickey Barrett said. "And we were."

Lindsay Bowen had 14 points and five assists for the Spartans, while Laura Hall added 10 points and nine rebounds, both career highs.

"Laura's play was one of the small ways we grew tonight," McCallie said. "I just want her to stay hungry and play the way she can play. She could pull down nine, 10, 11 boards more often."

Hall, who started her team's first three games, played well enough to get back in the lineup at center, McCallie said.

"It doesn't bother me to come off the bench," Hall said. "You can see all the mistakes people make and avoid them. But the last few games, I hadn't come out of my shell enough. I was playing too soft."

It was Michigan State's ninth straight win over the Detroit (2-6) and its school-record 17th consecutive victory at home.

Shawan Stubblefield had 13 points for the Titans, who shot 34.5 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers against a trapping defense.

The Spartans led 39-28 after a competitive first half with four lead changes, but the margin steadily grew in the last 20 minutes.

Michigan State had a 47-35 rebounding edge and scored 40 points inside to the Titans' 18.

"Laura was the big difference," Shimek said. "She was a beast on the boards."

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Players Mentioned

Lindsay Bowen

Laura Hall

Liz Shimek