MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie got just about everything she asked for and more - defeating the No. 2 team in the nation, 14,066 fans and a nationally televised game.
The No. 9 Spartans played about as well as she could have hoped for in its 66-64 win against Ohio State on Sunday.
"It was a great game with a great environment," McCallie said. "We are so proud of the fans and I think that the kids deserve a lot of credit to put themselves in the situation that they were in today."
The win marks the highest-ranked opponent the Spartans (24-3 overall, 13-2 Big Ten) have ever beaten in front of the largest crowd to see a women's basketball game at Breslin Center.
Winning their eighth straight game, the Spartans are now in a first-place tie with Penn State and move a half game ahead of Ohio State (25-3, 12-2) in the Big Ten.
The Spartans were led on offense by senior guard Kristin Haynie, who had 19 points, including two free throws with five seconds left in the game. She also had nine assists and seven steals.
"I wasn't even thinking about the time on the clock," Haynie said about the game-winning free throws. "We practice those all the time and nothing changes. Just have to maintain focus and get the job done."
After Ohio State missed its final shot at the buzzer, the Spartans celebrated at center court, which prompted members of the men's basketball team and fans to rush the court and join in.
Ohio State did not make it easy, though. The Buckeyes fell behind, only to charge back, and were within reach of a win the entire game. Ohio State center Jessica Davenport led the Buckeyes on offense with a triple-double, knocking down 19 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and swatting 12 MSU shots. The 12 blocks tie the school record for most in a game.
"It was a tremendous performance by her," McCallie said. "Twelve blocks - I don't think I have ever heard of that."
MSU also got solid contributions from junior guard Lindsay Bowen, who had 16 points, and senior center Kelli Roehrig, who had 14 points and nine rebounds.
"We were trying to penetrate too far all game and we weren't learning our lesson," Bowen said. "(Davenport) has the longest reach ever and to try and shoot over her just isn't going to work."
The Spartans outrebounded the Buckeyes, 36-33, including pulling down 17 offensive rebounds.
"The offensive rebounds says a lot," McCallie said. "I love to see the hustle and that number really shows it."
The Buckeyes shot 49 percent from the floor, and MSU was only able to hit 38 percent of its shots. The Spartans turned the ball over nine times and forced 19 Buckeyes turnovers.
"This game was amazing," Bowen said. "I had chills the whole game from the crowd and we love their support and hope they come out again on Wednesday."
The Spartans can clinch a share of the Big Ten title on Wednesday if they defeat their rivals from Ann Arbor. Wednesday is the Spartans' final regular-season game and players and coaches hope the crowd comes out one more time.
"We could hear the crowd throughout the game and it was great," Haynie said. "I have never been in a situation where the court was rushed before. They provided a huge spark for us all game."
Chris Barsotti can be reached at barsott1@msu.edu.
