Just because the depth issues that hampered the MSU women's basketball team are relatively healed, the defense still appeared to be hurting.
At the women's annual Green and White game on Saturday, the Spartans showed off a jelled offense and transition game but gave their scrimmage team opponents sufficient room to shoot from outside.
The Spartans wore out their scrimmage team - made mostly of MSU basketball managers - 77-64, but head coach Joanne P. McCallie appeared equally pleased and disappointed at times. A first-half 3-pointer by a scrimmage team player forced a frustrated McCallie to call a quick time-out and reassess her team's defense.
"We gave up too many threes, basically," McCallie said. "What we saw, we've been seeing. I just know we've got a lot left in us to sort it out."
The Spartans shot just 5-for-19 on 3-pointers - the scrimmage team was 9-for-28 on 3-point attempts - and were outrebounded 42-38. The Spartans still collected 21 steals against the scrimmage team.
Sophomore forward/guard Liz Shimek, last season's co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year along with sophomore guard Lindsay Bowen, led the Spartans with 15 points, connecting on 5-of-10 field goals.
Bowen, who played a team-high 30 minutes, scored eight points and had as many turnovers, said the team's defensive effort needed an improvement before the regular season kicks off on Nov. 22 against Davidson.
"We have a lot of work left to do on defense," she said. "Getting our hands up and getting out at shooters. We have to work."
With the addition of five true freshmen to MSU's roster, the Spartans were able to form some semblance of a rotation, a far cry from last season's seven-person roster that made the NCAA Tournament.
Guard Victoria Lucas-Perry from Flint Powers Catholic High School led all freshmen in scoring with 10 points and grabbed four rebounds. Though no freshmen were in the Spartans' starting lineup, the team is primed for a youth movement.
"The girls know what a real game feels like (now)," senior forward Julie Pagel said. "What their potential is, is really great compared to what they can do now."
After starting the game, Pagel played 19 minutes and scored six. Many early transition baskets were sparked by a Pagel steal or pass.
