The No. 11 MSU women’s basketball team has clinched at least a share of the Big Ten championship.
A 69-56 win at Assembly Hall over Illinois propelled the Spartans to their first regular season championship since 2005. It is the team’s third regular-season title in the history of the program.
Leading the way was senior forward Kalisha Keane and senior guard Brittney Thomas. Keane scored 27 and Thomas assisted with 19 points of her own, tying her career-high.
With junior forward Lykendra Johnson picking up her fourth foul and being limited to 19 minutes, senior forward Cetera Washington cleaned up on the boards in her absence. She led the team with six rebounds.
The Fighting Illini put forth a solid effort but ultimately fell short of making the upset. Karisma Penn scored a career-high 33 points.
The Spartans will have a chance to clinch outright for the first time in program history when Ohio State comes to Breslin Center on Thursday night.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
