Column: Spartans need to take control of CCHA playoff fate
Even before the third period began on Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind., the playoff fate was sealed for the No. 13 MSU hockey team.
Even before the third period began on Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind., the playoff fate was sealed for the No. 13 MSU hockey team.
The MSU women’s basketball team collected a solid 76-57 victory at Northwestern to improve their NCAA Tournament résumé. Heading into Sunday’s game, head coach Suzy Merchant warned her team that its six wins in the last seven games would be meaningless if MSU didn’t finish the regular season strong.
South Bend, Ind. – On the road Saturday night, Torey Krug did something a defenseman hasn’t done in the CCHA in more than 25 years.
South Bend, Ind. – In a weekend that the No. 13 MSU hockey needed to pick up a pair of road victories to keep pace in the CCHA standings, the Spartans will have to settle for one. Coming off of Friday’s 2-0 loss at the hands of Notre Dame, the Spartans — led by a 27-save performance by sophomore goalie Will Yanakeff — rose to the occasion in the rematch and beat the Fighting Irish, 4-2, Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind. With the win, the Spartans improve to 19-13-4 overall with a 14-11-3-2 mark in the conference.
The No. 6 MSU men’s basketball team used a dominant second half to beat Nebraska 62-34 Saturday at Breslin Center.
The MSU gymnastics team continued its dominance at Jenison Field House, toppling Ball State 195.025-193.300 to improve to 4-2-1 on the season and 4-1-0 at home.
With three regular season games remaining for the No. 6 MSU basketball team, the word “championship” is floating around Breslin Center more and more. The Spartans, who narrowly beat Minnesota 66-61 Wednesday in Minneapolis, have a one-game lead on No. 8 Ohio State and No. 11 Michigan in the Big Ten standings, putting MSU in control of its own destiny.
By the time Suzy Merchant made her way from the Senior Day celebration to the post-game podium, the head coach’s mood and focus had quickly changed. The MSU women’s basketball team (18-10 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) beat No.
In their final home game as Spartans, senior guard Porsche Poole and senior forwards Taylor Alton and Lykendra Johnson created a moment they’ll always remember. The MSU women’s basketball team (18-10 overall, 10-5 Big Ten) dominated No. 23 Nebraska (20-7, 9-6) winning, 73-53.
Entering the final regular season series of the year, the No. 13 MSU hockey team must maintain composure with the CCHA Tournament in sight. The Spartans (18-12-4 overall, 13-10-3-2 CCHA) open up a two-game series with Notre Dame (16-15-3, 11-12-3-0) starting Friday (8:35 p.m., CBS College Sports) and close out the regular season Saturday (7:35 p.m., Comcast) in South Bend, Ind.
One week removed from its highest score of the season, the MSU gymnastics team is prepared to keep its momentum going when it welcomes Ball State to Jenison Field House on Friday night. The Spartans (3-2-1 overall) are riding a three-meet home winning streak, and last Friday’s mark of 195.175 kicked the season average up to 193.118.
Even after getting a win last Friday against No. 11 St. Johns, junior second baseman Ryan Jones and the MSU baseball team weren’t entirely satisfied with the results of the opening weekend.
Running up and down the basketball court, her brother stopped, and in that moment, so did her world. Lykendra Johnson and her big brother, Homer, always played basketball together, but one January day in 2001, the fun and games turned fatally serious.
The No. 6 MSU men’s basketball team avoided a scare on its trip to Minnesota, winning in the last two minutes, 66-61.
It’s time to say goodbye. Before the MSU women’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 9-5 Big Ten) takes on No. 23 Nebraska (20-6, 9-5) on Thursday at 7 p.m., the Spartans will honor senior guard Porschè Poole and senior forwards Taylor Alton and Lykendra Johnson for Senior Day.
Most years when major league teams are headed to camp under the sunny skies of Florida or Arizona, head coach Jake Boss Jr. and the MSU baseball team are cooped up indoors.
When Porschè Poole walks to center court of Breslin Center following a game for the last time on Thursday, she will be doing so victoriously, regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard.
Not many people grow up in Highlands Ranch, Colo., dreaming to come to MSU, but Taylor Alton isn’t like most people. As the senior guard gets ready for her final home game as a member of the MSU women’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 9-5 Big Ten) against No.
Entering her third year on the MSU women’s lacrosse club team, Liz Mroz was unsure of what to expect. The senior midfielder and club president, along with her team, hired a new head coach in the summer, Greg Normand, who has a different perspective on women’s lacrosse. “Our coach is a former men’s coach,” Mroz said.
One year ago, the MSU men’s basketball team was in a much different position than it is now. With four games left in the regular season, the Spartans held a 15-11 record and were clinging to their NCAA Tournament hopes.