Michigan State University
1-0
Eastern Michigan
1-1
No. 14 Michigan State Holds Off Eastern Michigan 69-61
11/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
| Highlights
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Sophomore Aerial Powers had 20 points with 15 rebounds and No. 14 Michigan State held off Eastern Michigan for a season-opening 69-61 victory on Sunday.
Tori Jankoska added 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Spartans (1-0), who watched a 14-point lead shrink to four with 2:27 left.
Anna Morrissey hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to halt the late rally by the Eagles (1-1).
Michigan State was held to 33.3 percent from the field, but had a 55-39 edge in rebounding. They erased a seven-point deficit midway through the first half and closed the half on a 13-4 run to lead 34-28 at the break. The Spartans stretched that lead to 56-42 with 8:29 remaining before Eastern Michigan had a late 16-6 surge.
Janay Morton led the Eagles with 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting and Shannise Heady chipped in 10.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday when they host No. 3 Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear white, the MSU looks to 'White Out' the Breslin Center.
Post-Game Notes:
- The Spartans are now 28-15 all-time in season openers, including 20-2 when the opener is at home.
- Michigan State now leads the all-time series 18-3 against EMU, including winning 15 of the last 16 meetings. MSU is 11-1 against Eastern Michigan in East Lansing.
- Against in-state opponents, MSU is 42-2 since the beginning of the 2002-03 season.
- Senior Anna Morrissey made her first career start today. She posted career highs in points (9), rebounds (5), assists (2), blocks (1), steals (1) and minutes (36).
- Jankoska had her sixth career 20-point game, making a career-high 11 free throws.
- Powers posted her 11th career double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Her 15 rebounds were the second-most in her career. Powers also added a team-high three steals.
