Michigan State University
Detroit Mercy
Women's Basketball Starts 3-0; Tops Detroit, 85-48
11/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2008
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Aisha Jefferson | Brittney Thomas
Head Coach Suzy Merchant Post Game Press Conference
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team began the season 3-0 tonight with a 85-48 victory over in-state foe Detroit at the Breslin Center. The 3-0 start is the first for MSU since 2004-05 and is the 10th in program history.
Redshirt junior Aisha Jefferson led the Spartans in scoring for the second straight game, totaling 18 points, in only 17 minutes, while also adding a game-high eight rebounds and two steals. Jefferson, who was also 9-of-10 from the foul line, has scored in double-figures in five consecutive games dating back to the final two games of the 2006-07 season.
Junior Allyssa DeHaan was in double-digits for the eighth straight game, posting 14 points, on 5-of-8 shooting, along with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. DeHaan moves into 21st place on the school's all-time points list with 978.
MSU showed off its tremendous depth tonight as 12 players saw over 10 minutes, with 11 of them scoring at least three points and grabbing at least two rebounds. In addition, eight different Spartans dished out an assist and seven grabbed a steal.
The Spartan defense was again stingy, holding the Titans to a 26.4% (14-of-53) field goal percentage, including a 14.3% (2-of-14) mark from behind the arc. MSU has held their opponents under 30% from the field and 15% from 3-point range in each of the three games. Also, MSU forced 24 Detroit turnovers.
Michigan State scored first for third time in as many games this season, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. The Titans tied the score on their first possession, but back-to-back baskets by Jefferson put MSU back ahead and they would not look back. With the score 13-6 in favor of the Spartans with 13:33 left in the first half, the Green & White would begin a 15-0 run over the next 7:50 to seize control, 28-6. The margin would increase only a couple points, 37-13, leading into the half.
The 13 points allowed in the first half was the second lowest in program history; one point short of the record set against Indiana on Jan. 16, 2003. MSU also allowed 13 points in the second half of last season's opener.
The two schools matched points early in the second half, but a couple quick spirts by MSU moved the lead above 30, including a 15-4 run over a three minute span late in the half that brought the score to 77-40 with 3:08 remaining.
Zemora Davis led Detroit (0-2) with 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Spartans leave the cozy confines of the Breslin Center for the first time this season, as they travel to Burlington, Vt. for the TD Banknorth Classic this weekend. MSU will square off with Dartmouth in the opener on Saturday at 3 p.m. and will face either host Vermont or Quinnipiac on Sunday.
NOTES: MSU had won the last 10 games against Detroit and have now won the last 11 in East Lansing ... Michigan State has allowed only two players to score in double-figures against them this season ... The 274 points scored are the most in a three-game span in school history ... The 140 points allowed are the fewest to begin a season in the 3-point field goal era and the third fewest all-time to start a season (94 in 1973-74 and 102 in 1972-73) ... MSU held a 48-36 edge on the boards and possessed a 26-12 edge in points in the paint.
