Michigan State University
Illinois
Spartans Drop Overtime Decision Against Illinois, 71-62
1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2012
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Spartans' second half comeback was not enough, as the Michigan State women's basketball team fell 71-62 in overtime to Illinois on Thursday night at Breslin Center. MSU (12-9, 4-4) fell behind by as many as 15 in the first half, and used a 21-2 run to begin the second half to gain the lead, but were unable to put away the Illini.
Senior Porsche Poole led Michigan State with a career high 28 points, the most by a Spartan this season. She also added three assists and three steals. Freshman Kiana Johnson chipped in 11 points, a season-high seven rebounds and five assists. Senior Lykendra Johnson also topped double-figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing a season high six steals.
Another sluggish start offensively by the Spartans, combined with a 9-0 run by Illinois late in the half, put Michigan State in a 35-21 hole at intermission.
Michigan State scored the first 12 points of the second half, led by seven from Poole, and compiled a 21-2 run over the first eight minutes to open up a five point lead. The Illini came back and tied the game on five occasions, eventually taking a 56-55 lead with 1:12 to go. Poole came down and drilled a foul line jumper to put MSU back ahead at 57-56 with 54 seconds on the clock. After a shot clock violation, Poole hit only one of two free throws, allowing Illinois a chance to tie in the final seconds. Adrienne Godbold would make a putback layup with nine seconds left, forcing overtime.
Illinois controlled overtime from the tip, going home with a 71-62 victory.
The Spartans stay at home this weekend, hosting No. 18 Penn State on Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
TEAM NOTES:
- The loss snaps MSU's 15-game winning streak in overtime games. The Spartans last loss in overtime was nearly 10 years ago, on Feb. 28, 2002.
- MSU also snapped its four game winning streak against the Illini.
PLAYER NOTES:
- Poole's 28 points were the most by a Spartan since Kalisha Keane scored 28 on Feb. 3, 2011.
- With her two 3-pointers, Poole moved into 14th all-time at MSU with 67.
- Poole played a career high 43 minutes.
- Lykendra Johnson's six steals were the most by a Spartan this season. She has totaled 14 steals over the last three games (4.7 a game).
- Kiana Johnson scored double-figures in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
- K. Johnson played a season high 40 minutes.
- Jasmine Thomas tied her career high with 38 minutes, set on Monday at Purdue.
- Courtney Schiffauer tied her career high with two steals.
