SPORTS UPDATE: Spartans top Wolverines, 3-1

Detroit - Five minutes into Saturday’s game it looked like No. 5 MSU and No. 9 Michigan were on pace for an up-and-down scorefest.

Spartans fall to Lady Lions in overtime, 62-59

State College, Pa. - Nearly everything went wrong in the MSU women’s basketball team’s 62-59 loss against Penn State on Thursday night.

Mary J. Blige sings message of pain, sympathy

Detroit - If you need healing, forget the hospital. Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” tour has the cure.

Build it

MSU’s 2020 Vision is not complete so long as it doesn’t specify for the construction of a free-standing multicultural center building. On Wednesday, representatives from the Council of Racial Ethnic Students met with the MSU Board of Trustees to push for the center’s inclusion in the 2020 plan. The 2020 Vision is the university’s master plan for campus building projects for the next 18 years.

Elsinore Follies shows tonight

This weekend enjoy “Elsinore Follies,” at Creole Gallery, located at 1218 Turner St., in Lansing. Performed by Lansing-based theater company Icarus Falling, the show looks at the happenings in Elsinore castle told from the gravedigger’s perspective.

Toss Junior Mints at Britney for kicks

Instead of choosing some art house or independent flick as my best bet for this weekend, I’m going to take the really, really low road.

Waylon Jennings legacy as country icon lives on

There are some towns off the beaten path. Towns where rusted pickup trucks and hot-rodded Mustangs own the dirt roads.

BREAKING NEWS: Olympic officials award gold medal to Canadian figure skating duo; Russians keep their prize

Olympic officials have awarded the Canadian figure skating duo a gold medal, just days after the Russian team claimed top-prize in a heavily disputed decision. The International Skating Union suggested Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier be awarded a gold prize, and the decision was finalized Friday just hours before the case was slated to be heard by an international arbitration panel. Meanwhile, Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze will keep their gold medal - giving the event two winning teams. The French judge, who reportedly said she was pressured to cast her vote for the Russians, has been suspended.

Eclectic act hits Akers Hall

Brooklyn-based duo Bitch and Animal will perform tonight at Common Grounds Coffeehouse in Akers Hall basement. This is a rare opportunity to see this duo, since they primarily perform on the East and West coasts, said Kyeorda Kemp, program coordinator for Common Grounds.

Rough riders

Some kids say they want to be astronauts, ballerinas or professional race car drivers when they grow up.

Speech to empower women

Maria Zavala suffered second- and third-degree burns on her face and hands last November in an accident involving a gas stove. For Zavala, a community organizer for the Chicano Development Center in Lansing, said she hopes discussing the accident will help strengthen women in the community when she speaks at Saturday’s Dia de la Mujer Conference. “I am pretty scarred, and it’s very visible,” said Zavala, one of the conference’s founders.

MSU Repertory Dance Company performs

Members of the MSU Repertory Dance Company began their biannual concert on Valentine’s Day with their hearts in every step. An ensemble of 44 students will continue to perform eight dance routines directed by Dixie Durr, professor of dance and artistic director of the program, until Sunday. “All of the students participating in this program auditioned in the fall,” Durr said.

Racism shows in stereotype support

This is in response to Ellen Conser’s letter “Stereotype contains factual information”(SN 2/7). I am utterly appalled by the racist views that were expressed.

Officer reflects on career

Lansing - Growing up in Oscoda, Ray Hall’s favorite TV show was “Hill Street Blues.” The early ’80s police drama show helped influence Hall’s decision to enter law enforcement. Hall, who is serving his last day as a lieutenant with the Lansing Police Department, will be promoted to captain within the department on Saturday. “I thought it would be cool having a job where I got to catch people and help people out,” he said.

Weapon in hand, Spartans off to Junior Olympics

Three members of the MSU Fencing Club have fought their way to the Junior Olympics in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

Police briefs 02/15/02

U looking to rebound

After a disappointing effort its last time out, the Spartan men’s basketball team travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue at 7 p.m.

Catholics prepare for Easter

Each year Amy Frazier tries to give up something for Lent. And each year, she forgets to stick to her choice. “I’m giving up chocolate this year,” the education sophomore said.

Varicella vaccine is useful to students

An Emmons Hall resident was diagnosed with varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, last Friday. Emmons Hall residence director Glen Midkiff said the student went to Olin Health Center Friday after noticing a rash.

Theorist speaks to groups about misperceptions

Alan Berkowitz spoke to members of the Community Relations Coalition and the Responsible Hospitality Council on Thursday evening about improving the relationship between East Lansing residents and MSU students. About 20 people packed into the board room of the Administration Building from 4:30-6 p.m.