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Sports | 1000

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball fights through season, finishes on high note

Josh Mansour
February 26, 2012

One month ago today, not many people could have seen this day coming. It was Jan. 26, and the MSU women’s basketball team (19-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) suffered a disheartening loss to Illinois — winless in conference play before the day — that extended MSU’s losing streak to four games and made dreams of finishing near the top of the conference seem like just that — dreams. Later that night, senior guard Porschè Poole and freshman guard Kiana Johnson called out their teammates for being selfish, and Poole made sure to meet with head coach Suzy Merchant to find answers. “I definitely think it was a turning point,” Merchant said.

SPORTS

Spartans defeat Ball State during 'outstanding' meet

Jesse O'Brien
February 26, 2012

With the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Regionals approaching, the MSU gymnastics team badly needed another high score on Friday at Jenison Field House against Ball State. The Spartans got their wish, when they posted a team score above 195 for the second straight week, toppling the Cardinals 195.025-193.300.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans smash Northwestern 76-57 on road

Josh Mansour
February 26, 2012

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.

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey splits with Notre Dame, finishes fifth in CCHA

Dillon Davis
February 25, 2012

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.

BASKETBALL

Spartans prepare for Nebraska, control championship fate

Jeremy Warnemuende
February 25, 2012

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.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball takes down No. 23 Nebraska 73-53

Josh Mansour
February 23, 2012

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU takes on Notre Dame in last regular season series

Dillon Davis
February 23, 2012

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.

SPORTS

Spartans hope to repeat high scores with Ball State at home

Jesse O'Brien
February 23, 2012

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.

BASKETBALL

MSU, Nebraska play first game on Senior Day

Josh Mansour
February 22, 2012

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.