Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Basketball

BASKETBALL

Drew Valentine facing familiar foe as MSU grad assistant

Matt Sheehan
December 13, 2013

After his senior season as an Oakland Grizzly came to a close, Drew Valentine had a tough decision to make — go overseas in hopes of starting a basketball career, or join MSU’s basketball team as a graduate assistant. Already suffering an ACL tear, a torn meniscus and a removed tumor in his pinky during his career, he decided he had too many bumps and bruises to continue playing basketball.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball falls on road at Va. Tech

Derek Blalock
December 7, 2013

The MSU women’s basketball team continued its recent struggles with a third-straight loss Saturday afternoon losing, 72-66, at Virginia Tech. Despite hitting two 3-pointers in the final minute of the game, the Spartans (5-4 overall) couldn’t get the comeback victory. MSU started three freshmen in the lineup because of junior guard Kiana Johnson missing her second straight game with an infection.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Sick Costello shines in shadows of loss

Zach Smith
December 5, 2013

Matt Costello wasn’t supposed to play Wednesday night — but he contributed in a big way. Despite a 79-65 loss to North Carolina, the sophomore forward was the only member of the No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team to play with the spirit of the best team in the nation.

BASKETBALL

No. 1 Spartans fall to UNC after slow start

Matt Sheehan
December 4, 2013

The No. 1 men’s basketball team walked onto the court in kryptonite-colored socks for their highly-anticipated Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup against North Carolina. However, the Superman of college hoops walked off the court with their first loss of the season to UNC, 75-69. The Spartans never led during a game that showcased some of MSU’s most troubling tendencies on the season thus far. The game started just as poorly as it possibly could have for MSU and had the packed Breslin Center in a restless frenzy almost immediately. Junior forward Alex Gauna, who got the start in place of ill sophomore forward Matt Costello, started the game by committing two fouls and a turnover within the first 90 seconds. MSU went on to turn the ball over eight times, four of which came in the first five minutes, and allowing UNC to grab 10 offensive rebounds on the half.

BASKETBALL

Top-ranked MSU tied with UNC at halftime

Zach Smith
December 4, 2013

It was a tale of two halves…of a half. The No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team is tied with North Carolina 32-32 at the half, after an up-and-down start to the game by the Spartans The Tar Heels led by as much as 14 midway through the period, but MSU scored eight of the last 10 field goals to even the score. It took four minutes for MSU to get their first field goal.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Face Time: ESPN's Rece Davis

Matt Sheehan
December 4, 2013

Yesterday, The State News got to chat with ESPN’s Rece Davis about the top-ranked men’s basketball team in the country, the Champions Classic and Sparty’s semifinal appearance in the Capital One Mascot Challenge. Here is what the “College GameDay” co-host had to say:

VOLLEYBALL

What to watch for over break

The State News Sports Desk
November 25, 2013

Most MSU students will home preparing, eating or working off a Thanksgiving feast over break, but the Spartans will be on the field, court, ice and mat working hard to give MSU some victories. Check out what will be happening in the Green and White world of sports over the holiday week.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball recovers from close first half, pulls away from Rice

Derek Blalock
November 23, 2013

After leading by only two points at halftime, the No. 21 MSU women’s basketball team made a 13-0 run midway through the second half that powered the Spartans through to a win against Rice on Saturday night at Breslin Center. Early in the first half, the Spartans (4-1 overall) got into foul trouble, which saw senior forward Annalise Pickrel head to the bench for most of the first half after picking up two fouls in just two minutes. In the second half, Rice (3-3) tied it right off the bat when forward Megan Palmer hit a layup, but back-to-back 3-pointers by senior guard Klarissa Bell and junior guard Kiana Johnson gave MSU the lead back, and the Spartans wouldn’t lose it again. With less than 10 minutes left, the Owls cut the lead to only four off an Alyssa Lang 3-pointer.