Michigan State University
Minnesota
Spartans Rout No. 12 Minnesota, 79-48
2/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2005
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Something about playing Minnesota brings out the best in Rene Haynes, and Michigan State.
Haynes came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points, leading No. 9 Michigan State to a 79-48 victory over No. 12 Minnesota on Thursday night.
"She did that to us last game, so no, I wasn't surprised," Minnesota coach Pam Borton said. "I don't know if it's something she has for Minnesota or what."
The sophomore scored 17 in a win over the Gophers in East Lansing, Mich., on Jan. 16, then came out and was even better on Thursday.
Kristin Haynie had 18 points and five steals for Michigan State (21-3, 10-2 Big Ten), which continued its recent dominance at Williams Arena.
The Spartans have won three straight at Minnesota, which has become one of the most difficult places to play in the Big Ten during the Gophers' recent rise to prominence.
"I think we just match up very well with them," Haynie said. "Where they are strong, we are strong."
Janel McCarville had 17 points and five rebounds for the Gophers (18-5, 8-3), but it wasn't enough against Michigan State's quick guards.
Lindsay Bowen added 13 points and Haynie was her usual stingy self on defense, getting three straight steals at the start of the second half to help the Spartans pull away and win their fifth game in a row and ninth in the last 10.
Haynes was 8-for-10 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range.
"I thought Rene Haynes was key in her quickness and her ability to attack the basket," Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said.
Minnesota just couldn't keep up. The Gophers shot 0-for-17 from 3-point range and just 35 percent from the field.
The Spartans led by 17 points at halftime and extended that lead with six straight points to start the second half, four of which came on two of Haynie's three straight steals. She fed Bowen for a short bank shot for a 48-25 lead.
Michigan State cruised the rest of the way to the victory, leading by as many as 34 points.
"We didn't have an answer for anything they did," Borton said. "They were hurting us in every aspect."
The Gophers tried to get back in it with six straight points from McCarville and by tossing up 3-pointers, but they couldn't find the range.
"We know they love to shoot," McCallie said. "We just tried to really get after them and force them to shoot over us."
The Spartans never trailed, grabbing the momentum early with an opening 10-2 run. Haynie capped the run with a steal and breakaway layup, quieting a charged up Williams Arena crowd.
Jamie Broback's layup brought Minnesota within 17-14, but Michigan State came right back with a 12-2 burst to take control.
The Gophers had difficulty running their halfcourt offense, shooting 37 percent in the first half, including 0-for-9 from 3-point range.
"Our defense was the key tonight," Haynie said. "We were just hustling, getting to loose balls and playing really great defense."
The Spartans made six of their first seven shots and executed superbly in the halfcourt set, shooting 54 percent from the field in the first half, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Liz Shimek added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State while Broback finished with 16 points and five rebounds for Minnesota.
