Michigan State University
Illinois
No. 10 Spartans Defeat Illinois, 68-59
2/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan State wasn't about to let Illinois complete a men's and women's sweep in Breslin Center in the same week.
Liz Shimek had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists, to help the No. 10 Spartans reach the 20-win mark for the sixth time with a 68-59 victory on Sunday.
"We're going places," Shimek said. "The sky is the limit for this program. And it's our year this time. It's time for Michigan State to rise to the top. The men's program here is an inspiration that way when we look around and see all the banners and hardware they have."
Shimek scored seven straight points in a 20-5 first-half blitz and had a critical three-point play in the closing minutes after the Illini cut a 17-point deficit to two with 2:57 to play. But she had plenty of help in creating that cushion.
"It was a gut-it-out kind of game," Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "Illinois played very hard. But there were some good lessons in that game for us. And I'm proud of the fight we showed and the composure."
Kelli Roehrig and Lindsay Bowen each had 14 points. Kristin Haynie added 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Spartans (20-3, 9-2 Big Ten), who moved within a half-game of first place Ohio State.
"It's a great feeling to know it's all in our hands," Haynie said after Penn State dropped into a second place tie with a loss at Purdue. "The Big Ten title is open to four teams now (including Minnesota). Any team that wants it can step up and have it."
Angelina Williams had 21 points and Tiffanie Guthrie 15 for the Illini (13-8, 5-6), who nearly pulled off their eighth road win in 12 tries this season.
 Kelli Roehrig goes up for two of her 14 points.  | |
Michigan State broke the game open midway through the first half when 10 straight points made it 24-12 and another 8-0 run moments later made it 34-17.
The Spartans led 35-23 at halftime when the Illini had 10 turnovers and zero free throw attempts.
Michigan State had a 40-34 edge in rebounds and an 18-9 lead in assists. The win put them within three victories of the winningest season in school history.
"The goal all season was to be Big Ten champs," Shimek said. "We know we have a long way to go and have a lot of tough games ahead of us, including the next game at Minnesota. But to lose to Illinois today? That wasn't going to happen."
