Michigan standout sharpshooter Kate Thompson hit her first four shots, including three 3-pointers, to help the Wolverines jump out to an early seven-point lead about seven minutes in.
Thompson cooled off though, and the energy of the opening tip died down at Crisler Center to allow MSU to run off 11 straight points and take a 22-19 lead.
Behind senior guard Jasmine Thomas’ team-high 11 points, MSU leads U-M 32-28 at the intermission. Sophomore forward Becca Mills has 10 points off the bench for the Spartans.
Senior forward Courtney Schiffauer was sent to the bench with two fouls less than four minutes into the game, putting a strain on the Spartans’ regular rotation.
MSU head coach Suzy Merchant switched up the starting lineup again by inserting junior forward Annalise Pickrel for sophomore center Jasmine Hines. Merchant has been frustrated with Hines’ play recently while Pickrel has shot herself out of the slump that landed her on the bench five games ago.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
