Some athletes would get tired of sharing the limelight with each other for such a long time.

That's not the case with Liz Shimek and Lindsay Bowen.

The two athletes came to MSU to play basketball after battling for Michigan's prestigious title of Ms. Basketball, an award given by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan as the top prep player in the state.

"There really was no competition," Shimek said. "We talked online all the time about how we were doing. But because we were so far away, there was no animosity. We're friends and we wanted what was best for the both of us."

As a senior at Maple City-Glen Lake High School, Shimek posted stellar numbers averaging 24 points and 15 rebounds per game.

At the same time she set the Michigan high school career record for rebounds in a career (1,533) and in a season (417 twice, in 1999 and 2000).

Bowen posted totals herself that were anything but modest - averaging 31.4 points, 7.7 boards and six assists per contest as a senior guard at Dansville High, while establishing herself as Michigan high school's third-leading scorer in basketball history with 2,577 points.

In the end, Shimek claimed Ms. Basketball, and Bowen - nipping at her heels - was the runner-up.

This fall the two decided to combine forces and begin their freshman season at MSU as roommates in Wonders Hall.

But they are not always on the same page.

"Her alarm clock is so loud and sometimes she doesn't wake up," Shimek said, laughing. "And I have to scream at her."

On the court, they have more harmony.

Bowen and Shimek are currently second and third for the Spartans in scoring, netting 14.5 and 11.4 points per game, respectively, while Shimek leads the team in rebounding with 9.6 boards per contest. The dynamic duo combined to score 40 points in a 67-62 upset over No. 7 Purdue on Jan. 6.

Each freshman has already made their own mark for the Green and White - Bowen needs just four three-pointers to break the MSU freshman record of 41, set by Maxann Reese in the 1996-97 season. Both Bowen and Shimek have broken into the top 20 freshmen scorers in MSU history, Bowen at 16 with 203 points and Shimek 19, tallying 160.

Cedar Point, anyone?
When the MSU women's basketball team dubbed its season motto "Come Along for the Ride," it had no idea how accurate the invitation would be.

Since opening their season with an 82-68 victory over Fresno State on Nov. 23, the Spartans have endured a roller coaster ride that would make even the most avid amusement park-goer queasy - it seems that for every impressive victory MSU earns, a disappointing loss is just around the corner.

After defeating the Bulldogs, the Spartans moved on to lose 86-84 to Miami (Ohio) the next day.

Four days after thrashing Oklahoma State 91-39 on Dec. 29, MSU promptly dropped a 52-46 decision to Northwestern, a team that had lost 43-consecutive regular season Big Ten matchups.

But thankfully for the Spartans, things are looking on the up-and-up. MSU handed No. 7 Purdue a huge upset, 67-62, Jan. 6. Although dropping its next contest at No. 23 Ohio State three days later, MSU put together a convincing 72-49 win over Detroit-Mercy, leaving Spartan head coach Joanne P. McCallie to believe the worst may be over.

"I see very strong improvements and I think all of the things we've gone through we've had to go through to come together as a team," McCallie said. "To me it's not marked by wins and losses, it's a process.

"And the process is moving in an excellent direction."

The next ride will be against Indiana at 7 p.m. Thursday at Breslin Center.

Streaking to a halt
After setting the MSU record for consecutive-made free throw shots, by making the first 37 free throws of her college career, Bowen missed the latter end of two free throws during Sunday's game against Detroit. Prior to the miss, Bowen went four-for-four from the line Jan. 9 at Ohio State to set a new school-record with 36 in a row.

"I saw it hit the rim and roll out." Bowen said. "And I was like 'oh man,' but the rest of the game I didn't think about it."

Though she hasn't gone to the line after missing what could have been number 38, all bets are with Bowen to start another streak Thursday against Indiana. She holds the Michigan high school record for career free throw percentage at 82.4 (610-of-740).

Window washers
MSU leads the Big Ten in rebounding margin, boasting 11.2 more per game than its opponents. The closest competitor, Ohio State, has a plus-7 margin.

The Spartans also have made their mark nationally, ranking as high as third (plus-12.4) in the country.