West Michiganians packed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids for MSU’s 74-51 win against Western Michigan on Sunday to see the Grandville, Mich., native play close to home in her final season at MSU.

“It was amazing,” DeHaan said. “When we came out, we were saying it felt like a crowd at Breslin, there were so many people here. I was surprised by the amount of love I got from Grand Rapids. It was amazing and I thank everyone for coming out.”

DeHaan graduated in 2006 from Grandville High School, about a 20-minute drive from Van Andel Arena. Sunday’s official attendance was 4,058, with a good number of fans making the trip from Grandville.

DeHaan’s mother, Tracie, estimated she knew about 700 to 800 people at the game, including upward of 100 family members.

Tracie DeHaan said she was extremely touched by not only the MSU coaching staff scheduling the game, but also the reception her daughter received.

“I am so excited about everybody coming out here today,” Tracie DeHaan said amid constantly seeing friends and family members. “I’ve seen so many friends and people here I didn’t expect to come at all.”

Sunday’s game turned into a weekend event for DeHaan.

Saturday night, the Spartans stayed at Amway Grand Plaza and Hotel. Before the game, the choir from DeHaan’s hometown church, Richland Reformed Church, sang the national anthem. And, although going to church Sunday morning with her family didn’t fit into the team’s pregame routine, head coach Suzy Merchant did grant her permission to stay with her family Sunday night.

In front of her hometown fans, DeHaan scored seven points and had 11 rebounds, five blocks and one steal. She exited with 1:33 remaining in the game to a round of applause, and also received another loud ovation after the team sang “MSU Shadows” at halfcourt.

“That’s why I made her stay out there,” Merchant said. “She’s been such a great ambassador for Michigan State and West Michigan, and any time you have that, you want her to be recognized. I was really appreciative of the fans coming out and supporting Michigan State, certainly, but especially Allyssa. She’s just as high class of a person as you can have in your program.”