Basketball season is officially here.
The MSU women’s basketball team came out on top in its first exhibition match of the season against Grand Valley State, 72-42, Thursday.
Women win exhibition match
During the first half, freshman forward Kalisha Keane defends sophomore guard Taylor Silas of the Grand Valley State Lakers, Thursday at Breslin Center.
Although the MSU women’s basketball team came away with the win Thursday, it was not the performance they were hoping for.
“It is a work in progress, there is certainly a lot more we have to get better at,” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said. “We didn’t execute as well as we could have in that matchup.”
To add to the pain of a melancholy first half, where the Spartans held the lead by five points against the Lakers with a score of 30-25, sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan allegedly sprained her ankle.
“They are going to evaluate her tomorrow morning. We do not know how bad it is at this point,” Merchant said.
Even without DeHaan’s presence in the middle, the team came out firing in the second half, holding Grand Valley scoreless for the first seven minutes.
“I thought (playing without DeHaan) was a good thing,” Merchant said. “I kind of felt a pit in my stomach (when Dehann got hurt) but I thought (sophomore center) Lauren Aitch really stepped up.
“She really had a great rebound game, she has prepared herself physically and mentally to be a part of this team.”
Junior forward Aisha Jefferson racked up 24 points in her 32 minutes on the court, making her the lead scorer for the night.
“I feel that I’m in the best condition and shape I’ve been in since I’ve been here,” Jefferson said. “I felt it out there today.
Jefferson said with game one out of the way, she can relax a little more.
“A lot of nerves are out the way. It was just nervous for me because it’s the first season, a new beginning and a new start — it was like I was a freshman all over again.”
The team entered the court to a standing ovation — something that filled Merchant with emotion.
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“This is a really special place,” she said. “I’m proud to be called a Spartan. I just want to do the best I can and win for the people it means something to.”
Merchant added that she too feels a sense of relief with her first game as head coach over with.
“I didn’t sleep last night, I was panicked. You don’t know anything about anyone in exhibition games – especially with two new coaches.
“I really wanted this game to get here and get over with, no question about it.”
The Spartans get their last chance to work out the kinks in an exhibition game 2 p.m., Sunday, against Lake Superior State at Breslin Center.
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