Redshirt freshman guard Aerial Powers goes for a jumpshot during the game against Ferris State, Oct. 30, 2013, at Breslin Center. The Spartans beat the Bulldogs, 101-52. Danyelle Morrow/The State News
—In the No. 18 MSU women’s basketball team’s first half against Ferris State, the Spartans lead 54-23.
Ferris got off to a quick start in the early going, leading 8-4 at one point, but freshman guard Tori Jankoska gave the Spartans a lift with her hot shooting from long range.
After a Ferris State timeout less than three minutes into the game, Jankoska entered the game and immediately hit her first college points. She followed it up with two more 3-pointers.
The Spartans then received contributions from all over the floor and played lock-down defense against the Division II Bulldogs.
Senior guard Klarissa Bell and junior guard Kiana Johnson and helped out with eight and points, respectively. Johnson also added three rebounds, an assist, steal and block.
Bell led the team in rebounds with six in the first half.
Bell’s co-captain, senior forward Annalise Pickrel, also played big for MSU finishing the half with 13 points, including a 3-pointer as time expired. Pickrel went three-for-four on 3-pointers in the half.
Redshirt freshman Aeriel Powers also added five points and five rebounds.
But Jankoska kept delivering for MSU. Johnson started a great passing play to Pickrel which led to a Jankoska layup. A few minutes later, Jankoska got the ball in the low post and scored on a slick spin move. She finished the first half of her college career with 16.
Jankoska was Michigan’s Miss Basketball and was a Parade All-American her senior year of high school.
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