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Sports

BASKETBALL

Fiercest Foe

Paul Day
December 5, 2001

MSU has a lot in common with No. 7 Arizona, the team that poses the most imminent threat to ending the Spartans’ record home winning streak.The game, at 2 p.m.

SPORTS

Young Spartan squad surprises coaches, wins 2 close games

Aaron Johnson
December 4, 2001

With fewer than 12 seconds left and a one-point differential between the two opposing teams, sophomore forward Julie Pagel stepped to the free-throw line. It’s a setup Pagel is familiar with, after seeing it in the last two MSU women’s basketball games. In the first instance, Wednesday against Detroit, her two free throws gave MSU the 62-61 win. In the second, Sunday against Marquette, she didn’t win the game for the Spartans, missing both shots, but Pagel’s free throws set up a situation that ultimately gave the team a cushion point in its 65-63 win. “I wish I could have made them but, then again, that miss led to (junior center Jennifer Callier’s) O-board so I can’t take anything away,” she said.

FOOTBALL

Team, fans prepare for bowl game

Eric Lacy
December 4, 2001

The semester is almost over, and the grade is already in for the MSU football team’s 6-5 regular season performance. “Even in games that we weren’t successful in, our guys showed a competitive will,” head coach Bobby Williams said.

VOLLEYBALL

Team looks ahead

Dan Woike
December 4, 2001

Madison, Wis. - The concept seems to be pretty cut and dry in an NCAA Tournament game - either win and keep playing or pack your bags. But for the Spartan volleyball team, things aren’t quite as simple. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong in a 3-0 loss to the No.

SPORTS

Who rocked, blew in 2001

So this was 2001, huh? With only one more week of classes and less than a month to 2002, it’s time to remember the highs and lows of MSU athletics this past year. Topping this year’s chart with gold stars: Ryan Miller - Because the junior goaltender won the second Hobey Baker award in MSU history, following in the footsteps of his cousin Kip Miller.

SPORTS

Spartans ground Golden Eagles

Aaron Johnson
December 3, 2001

Grand Rapids - For the second game in a row, the MSU women’s basketball team found itself at the foul line with little time left on the clock and a basket needed. And once again, the team pulled out a win as the Spartans topped Marquette 65-63 on Sunday at the Women’s College Basketball Showcase at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Spartans kept the game close, putting pressure on the Golden Eagle offense. As a result, MSU held Marquette’s leading scorers, guard Kristi Johnson and forward Rachel Klug, to two combined points in the first half. “They’re really good post players and I’m not going to take anything away from them,” sophomore forward Julie Pagel said. Guard Kelly Schwerman kept the Golden Eagles in the game, posting seven points in the half, including a three-point shot with a foul that put the Golden Eagles ahead by three with fewer than five minutes left in the half. MSU junior forward Syreeta Bromfield spread 14 points over the half, leading the Spartans and freshman guard Kristin Haynie provided two five-point bursts in the half, leading to a 29-27 Spartan lead at the half. “I’m kind of like a leader on the team,” said Bromfield, who finished with a game-high 26 points.

FOOTBALL

Spartans finally dominate

Eric Lacy
December 3, 2001

So much for the notion that an 11 a.m. kickoff would lead to sluggish results. In fact, MSU’s players were so fired up in pregame warmups against Missouri on Saturday that they had to be calmed down by the coaching staff. Nobody wanted to see any more injuries to end this erratic regular season.

ICE HOCKEY

Weekend series in Alaska ends in split

James Jahnke
December 3, 2001

No. 3 MSU woke up Saturday morning to frigid temperatures and a harsh reality in Fairbanks, Alaska. After a 2-1 loss to heavy underdog Alaska-Fairbanks the night before, head coach Ron Mason’s Spartans fell to 0-3 on the road this season and were grappling for answers. “I think we came out a little tired from traveling,” junior right wing Kris Koski said from Alaska on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Team improves play in Classic victory

Paul Day
December 3, 2001

The weekend was all about improvements for the MSU men’s basketball team in the Spartan Coca-Cola Classic. MSU defeated Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne 81-68 in the Classic opener Friday and then defeated Lamar 80-71 on Saturday for their sixth straight Spartan Coca-Cola Classic championship.

FOOTBALL

MSU blows out Mizzou 55-7, earns needed sixth win

Justin A. Rice
December 1, 2001

It took 11 games to do it, but the MSU football finally put a team away early and hung on for a 55-7 win Missouri at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The victory, MSU’s biggest point margin in a win since it beat Iowa 49-3 two years ago, made the Spartans (6-5 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) bowl eligible.

VOLLEYBALL

Irish first foe in tourney

Dan Woike
November 30, 2001

It might not have the madness of March or sparkle of “One Shining Moment,” but for the Spartan volleyball team, the NCAA Volleyball Tournament doesn’t lack drama. The No.

SPORTS

W-crew team inks 6 recruits

Jason Giddings
November 30, 2001

MSU head crew coach Bebe Bryans announced six athletes signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, creating the “strongest recruiting class,” she’s ever had. Kristin Dooley (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Ashley Johnson (Park Hills, Ken.), Ashley Goosen (Rockford, Mich.), Valerie Lincoln (Fremont, Mich.) and Sarah Brady (Attica, Mich.) will join a team that has competed in the NCCA Championship the last four years. The women’s crew team also has placed first in three of its four meets this fall season. The team captured first and second place at Head of the Cuyahoga, took two first-place finishes at Head of the Ohio and dominated its only home meet, Head of the Grand, taking first place in every event. The Spartans compete again in the spring at the President’s Cup in Tampa, Fla., in March.