Michigan State University
Wayne State (Exh.)
Spartans Win Exhibition Opener, 79-47 Against Wayne State
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2009
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| Highlights
Spartan Sports Podcasts
Head Coach Suzy Merchant's Postgame Press Conference
Lauren Aitch | Allyssa DeHaan | Jasmine Thomas
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team jump started the 2009-10 season with a 79-47 exhibition win over Wayne State on Thursday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans, ranked No. 10 preseason by The Associated Press and in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll, had 12 different players score, led by 15 from senior Allyssa DeHaan.
DeHaan, playing only 17 minutes, went 5-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line on the night. She also added a team-high eight rebounds. Redshirt senior Lauren Aitch and freshman Jasmine Thomas added 11 points. Thomas also chipped in a game-high four assists and three steals.
In all, 12 Spartans played double-figure minutes, as MSU outscored Wayne State, 51-7 in bench scoring. Michigan State topped the Warriors, 40-18 in the paint, and outrebounded them, 49-39.
Early on the game remained close with MSU holding a slight 12-10 lead with 13:23 left in the first quarter. The Spartans would put the game away with a 14-0 run over the next 5:36, expanding their lead to 26-10. The Spartan advantage grew to as much as 23 points in the first half and settled to 21 at the half, 45-24.
The two teams played it even early in the second half, but a 7-0 run by MSU midway through the half, opened up a 65-35 lead for the Spartans with 11 minutes remaining. Michigan State cruised to a 79-47 final, getting everyone some playing time on the court.
Michigan State wrap up exhibition action on Sunday against Grand Valley State. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Breslin Center.
