“We started off really strong, and that has been something we have been working toward,” junior guard Klarissa Bell said. “Last year, we didn’t start out as strong, and we really have been focusing on starting strong.”

Bell, who led the team in scoring with 19 points, was one of five players on the team to score in double digits. With a lack of depth, head coach Suzy Merchant said that it is vital that the team spreads out the point production.

“The more balance you can have, the better, especially if you have those kids that aren’t ready to create their own shots yet,” Merchant said. “(At the same time), we also had people creating shots for other people.”

The Spartans created shots with ease, dishing out 19 assists against the Mavericks, with Bell leading the team with six assists.

One player who benefited from the assists barrage was junior forward Annalise Pickrel, who sank four 3-pointers to help her earn a career-high 18 points.

“I’m pretty confident about my shot right now,” Pickrel said. “(I am confident because I am) trying to pay attention to everything but, at the same time, have that composure and poise.”

Pickrel’s 7-for-14 shooting on the day helped the Spartans come out in the second half shooting 71.4 percent. Bell and Pickrel both agreed that the first half ended on a sluggish note, but the Spartans bounced back to dominate the second half and close out the game.

“Being able to come out in the second half with a lot of fight and not being complacent like we were at the end of the first half, that was really important,” Pickrel said. “That will give us confidence that we can come out strong in the second half.”

The Spartans finished with 13 turnovers, compared to the Mavericks’ 25, with three MSU players grabbing at least three steals. MSU also held the Mavericks to 31.4 percent shooting, allowing only two 3-pointers on 11 attempts.

The Spartans look to keep the ball rolling against Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. Thursday in Ypsilanti, Mich.