Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Spartans Finish Strong, Down Wisconsin, 69-63
1/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2006
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Liz Shimek scored 18 points and grabbed her 1,000th career rebound and No. 9 Michigan State scored the final nine points of a 69-63 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday night.
Shimek also scored her 1,500th career point in the game, becoming the fifth Spartan in program history to reach that mark. She now has 1,515 points for her career, and is the first player in MSU history to collect 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds.
The Spartans (13-4, 3-1 Big Ten) trailed the entire second half until Aisha Jefferson's jumper gave them a 64-63 lead with 1:05 left. Michigan State added five free throws in the final minute to cap the game-closing 9-0 run.
Wisconsin (6-10, 1-4) took a 55-45 lead on consecutive 3-pointers by Jolene Anderson with 7 minutes left.
But the Badgers struggled down the stretch against Michigan State's fullcourt press. The Spartans took advantage of turnovers and second-chance points to get back in the game.
Rene Haynes' steal led to Jefferson's go-ahead basket, and Lindsay Bowen's steal on Wisconsin's next possession led to two free throws by Jefferson that made it 66-63.
Anderson nearly registered the Badgers' first-ever triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Ashley Josephson led Wisconsin with 15 points and Danielle Ward added 13.
Victoria Lucas-Perry added 16 points for the Spartans and Bowen had 15.
Shimek's 10 rebounds gave the senior 1,000 for her career. She is the first Spartan and eighth Big Ten player to reach that mark.
