Michigan State University
Michigan
Michigan State Downs Michigan, 50-45
2/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2010
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Allyssa DeHaan | Kalisha Keane
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Behind a strong defensive effort, the Michigan State women's basketball team held off Michigan, 50-45, tonight at Crisler Arena. The Spartans, who improve to 16-8 overall and 7-6 in the Big Ten, held the Wolverines (14-10, 6-8) to a season-low 45 points and 28.8% shooting from the field. MSU has now won six-straight over U-M.
Senior Allyssa DeHaan tied the NCAA Division I career blocked shots record in the win, tallying a block on Krista Phillips 13 seconds into the second half. DeHaan now has 480 career blocks tying Sandora Irvin for the national mark.
Junior Kalisha Keane led the Spartans with 12 points off the bench, including seven-straight points in key stretch early in the second half. Classmate Brittney Thomas was the only other Spartan in double-figures with 10.
With the score tied at 10 with 11:53 left in the first half, the Spartans put together a 12-2 run over the next five minutes to open up its biggest lead of the first half, 22-12. Keane began the run with five unanswered points and was followed by two fast break layups by sophomore Porsche Poole.
After matching field goals brought the score to 24-14 MSU with 5:47 to go, the Spartans were held without a field goal for the next 9:49, spanning both halves, but were able to keep a slim 25-22 lead at the half and never fall behind the Wolverines.
U-M tied the game at 25 with 16:12 on the clock, but a runner by junior Cetera Washington ended the MSU field goal drought and began a 16-2 run that spanned 6:56. After the Washington basket, Keane ran off seven-in-a-row to highlight the run. The Wolverines were also held without a field goal for 7:16 during the stretch.
Michigan would chip back and eventually cut the MSU lead to three, 48-45, with 15 seconds left, but Brittney Thomas iced the game with a pair of free throws for the 50-45 final.
Michigan State held a 43-34 edge on the boards, led by a team-high nine from sophomore Lykendra Johnson.
The Spartans return home for the two-game homestand, beginning on Sunday against Northwestern at 2:30 p.m.
NOTES:
- The Spartans held U-M to 16.7% (3-of-18) shooting from behind the arc. The Wolverines entered the day second in the Big Ten, shooting 35.1% from long range.
- Brittney Thomas moved into a tie for 13th all-time at MSU with 283 assists.
