Tuesday, December 30, 2025

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Sports

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Versatile Johnson key to MSU success

Playing at Northwestern always is special for Lykendra Johnson. Welsh-Ryan Arena sits about 20 miles away from the sophomore forward’s hometown of River Forest, Ill., meaning family and friends likely will fill the stands when the Spartans play the Wildcats at 8 p.m. tonight.

BASKETBALL

Spartans have stronghold on this 'rivalry'

I’m still waiting. Waiting for Michigan to crash the boards or someone to put a hand in the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year’s face. I’m waiting for U-M fans and students to show up for every game like they did Tuesday. Waiting for the Wolverines to make winning this game a point of emphasis as much as the ever-winning Spartans do.

BASKETBALL

Cool hand Lucas

For the second straight game, junior guard Kalin Lucas demanded the ball in the final seconds. For the second straight game, Lucas delivered. Lucas nailed a mid-range jumper with 3.5 seconds remaining and a last-ditch layup by Michigan forward DeShawn Sims rimmed out Tuesday as the Spartans defeated rival U-M, 57-56, at Crisler Arena.

BASKETBALL

MSU growing, nearing early expectations

Is the MSU women’s basketball team back? Following last week’s impressive wins, it’s tough to say the Spartans haven’t solved their woes. The biggest culprit during the team’s three-game losing streak was its struggling offense.

SPORTS

Freshman Osterman making immediate impact

Trailing 4-2 late in his match Sunday against Illinois’ No. 11 Ryan Prater, Dan Osterman planted his higher-ranked opponent onto the mat for a two-point takedown, only to see his opponent record a two-point reversal with two seconds left in the match to clinch victory.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans to face Wolverines in rivalry game

Tom Izzo disagrees with former football coach and current trustee George Perles’ famous quote, “They all count one.” The mantra is something the MSU men’s basketball head coach won’t be thinking tonight when the No. 5 Spartans (17-3, 7-0) travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan (10-9, 3-4).

BASKETBALL

Spartans pick up road win vs. Minnesota

One day after the MSU men’s basketball team came back from a double-digit second-half deficit to beat the Golden Gophers, the MSU women’s basketball team did the same on Sunday, rallying from 10 down to knock off the Gophers 66-57.

SPORTS

Marquee match doesn’t take place

No. 1-ranked 133-pound senior Franklin Gomez put his 26-game winning streak on the line Friday, but did so against Minnesota’s Thane Antczak — not No. 2-ranked 133-pound senior Jayson Ness, who did not make the trip to East Lansing.

BASKETBALL

Spartans once again escape with victory

It finally caught up with them. The No. 6 men’s basketball team had been playing with fire throughout conference play, turning on its game whenever the it felt like it. Down double digits in the second half in a hostile environment on the road, the Spartans were at the mercy of the Minnesota Golden Gophers

ICE HOCKEY

Letdown over split exhibits MSU potential

The MSU hockey team left the locker room immediately following Saturday’s heartbreaking loss. After allowing the game-winning goal with 1:07 left in regulation, the No. 10 Spartans didn’t even have time to shower.

ICE HOCKEY

Split decision

The No. 10 MSU hockey team can sum up its weekend series against Ohio State in one word — disappointing. Although Friday’s 5-2 win was solid, the Spartans allowed a game-winning goal on Saturday with 1:07 remaining in regulation on a wrap-around that could have been prevented.