Michigan State University
Stony Brook
Balanced Attack Leads MSU Over Stony Brook, 73-42
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2008
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Aisha Jefferson | Mia Johnson | Cetera Washington
Head Coach Suzy Merchant Postgame Press Conference
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team improved to 2-0 for the sixth straight season, after this afternoon's 73-42 win over Stony Brook at the Breslin Center. The Spartans showed off their depth, having six student-athletes post nine or more points and four having over seven rebounds.
Redshirt junior Aisha Jefferson led the way offensively, scoring a game-high 11 points. Junior Allyssa DeHaan and sophomore Kalisha Keane each added 10 points, with DeHaan chipping in nine rebounds and four blocks, and Keane dishing out a game-high five assists. Jefferson, DeHaan and Keane have scored in double-figures in both games this season.
Redshirt freshman Lykendra Johnson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, while also adding seven points, two blocks and two steals. Three Spartans - redshirt junior Lauren Aitch, sophomore Cetera Washington and freshman Courtney Schiffauer each scored nine points in the win. Aitch had seven boards, and Washington had eight rebounds and five assists.
The Spartans' defense held their opponent under 30-percent from the field for the second straight game, allowing the Seawolves to shoot 27.9% (17-61) from the field and 11.1% (1-of-9) from behind the arc. In addition, MSU forced 20 turnovers and held a 54-33 edge on the board.
MSU posted the first seven points of the afternoon, capped by a Mandy Piechowski 3-pointer, in the opening two minutes. Stony Brook battled back to tie the score at nine, but a 14-1 Spartan run opened up a 23-10 MSU lead with seven minutes to go in the half. SBU cut into the lead again at 23-15 with 4:23 remaining, however the Spartans gathered nine unanswered points to end the half, taking a 32-15 lead at the intermission.
The Spartans tacked on another 10 straight points to being the second half. A layup by the Seawolves' Kirsten Jeter with 15:34 left ended the 19-0 run, which spread over a span of 9:09. Stony Brook would go on to play Michigan State tough for much of the second half, getting within 19 at 59-40 with 5:35 on the clock. MSU would put the game away with a 14-2 spirt to end the afternoon.
Sarah Kazadi led the Seawolves with 11 points.
Michigan State concludes the three-game homestand to begin the season on Wednesday, when Detroit comes to town for a 7 p.m. start.
NOTES: Redshirt senior Mia Johnson (right knee) returned to action after missing the season opener ... Nine Spartans played over 10 minutes today ... MSU had outrebounded its opponents, 107-58, and have controlled points in the paint, 118-38, so far this season ... The Spartans are shooting 54.9% from the field, while holding their opponents to a 28.6% clip.
