The No. 10 MSU women’s basketball team didn’t open its season the way it planned, losing 77-74 to Dayton on Friday at University of Dayton Arena.
Senior forward Aisha Jefferson, making her return to her hometown, wasn’t effective, going scoreless with three rebounds and four fouls.
Sophomore forward Courtney Schiffauer was MSU’s most effective player, scoring 21 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes. She shot 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Schiffauer hit a 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining to bring the Spartans within one, but Dayton hit free throws and junior guard Brittney Thomas missed a tying 3-pointer to end the game.
Schiffauer aside, the rest of the team shot 1-of-13 from 3-point range.
Dayton led 43-34 at the half after shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 6-of-12 from beyond the arc.
MSU turned it on in the second half but couldn’t tie the game.
Guard Kristin Daugherty led Dayton with 17 points and five rebounds.
Four Spartans scored in double digits, with sophomore forward Lykendra Johnson scoring 11 while senior center Allyssa DeHaan and sophomore guard Porsche Poole scored 10 each. DeHaan added six rebounds and six blocks.
MSU once again was outrebounded, this time 50-45 and the Spartans turned the ball over 22 times and committed 29 fouls.
The Spartans stay on the road, playing Detroit at noon Sunday.
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