Pistons to visit E.L.

Members of the Detroit Pistons will visit the Lansing area for the third consecutive year. Head coach Rick Carlisle, players Chucky Atkins and Chauncey Billups, and Vice President of Basketball Operations John Hammond will meet with local media from 8:30-10 a.m. Tuesday at Pistachio’s Restaurant, 2827 E. Grand River Ave.

The event is closed to the public. Other stops on the team’s two-day statewide tour include Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Saginaw and Farmington Hills.

Two years ago, members of the Pistons visited the state Capitol. Last year’s tour was scheduled for Sept. 11, so the Pistons only made one stop - at Kinawa Middle School, 1900 Kinawa Drive in Okemos - before canceling the remainder because of the terrorist attacks.

The Pistons, who finished second in the Eastern Conference last season, open the regular season at home against New York on Oct. 30.

For ticket information, call (248)371-2055.

James Jahnke

MSU wins fourth in a row, blanks Central

The No. 8 MSU field hockey team blanked Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday 4-0, extending the Spartans’ winning streak to four games.

Goals by sophomore Theresa Pusateri, freshman Jessica Miller and junior Sophie Rosmalen put MSU ahead 3-0 at the half. Senior Cynthia Martin added her first goal of the season in the second half.

MSU travels to Syracuse, N.Y., Friday to take on Syracuse in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge. The team also will play Sunday against Rutgers. Both games will be played at Coyne Field.

Patrick Walters