Minnesota's size was too much for MSU in the first half, so the Spartans made them pay on the perimeter.
The product on the floor may not have been as well decorated this season in comparison to years past, but that hasn't stopped loyal supporters in walking through the turnstiles. According to the MSU athletic department, the Spartans rank first in the Big Ten and eighth in the country in total attendance for women's basketball games as of Feb. 17. This was evident during Sunday's upset victory over No.
Tori Jankoska is further proving to her critics that Aerial Powers isn't the only superstar in the making on the Spartans roster. Playing a major role in last Sunday's upset over first-year Big Ten participant and No.
Whenever sophomore guard Tori Jankoska finishes a contest as the team's leader in the points column this season, the Spartans have come away with a victory. That was evident when MSU nearly caused a court storming this past Sunday in East Lansing when they knocked off No.
Their first victory over a ranked program in more than two months couldn't come at a better time with a week into the Big Ten tournament. Currently sitting ninth in the conference standings tied with Illinois after knocking off No.
Following its fourth straight win, MSU (19-8 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) is starting to work its way off of the NCAA tournament bubble. In Joe Lunardi's latest bracket for ESPN, the Spartans have moved up to a seven seed in the East region.
The Spartans nearly let another sure win slip away, but an uncharacteristically strong night at the line helped MSU steal a road win from one of the best home teams in the Big Ten. MSU (19-8 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) drained 17 of 20 free throw attempts to defeat Illinois, 60-53.
Tears were shed and standing ovations were received before the opening possession occurred on Sunday. Battling with ACL tears on both of her knees, redshirt senior Madison Williams has spent the entirety of this season sitting on the bench, cheering for her teammates day in and day out. But on the final home game of the year for the Spartans, Williams would get the nod from head coach Suzy Merchant to be slotted into the starting lineup. Along with Williams, Kendra Lumpkin, seniors Kendra Lumpkin, Kelsey Kuipers, Anna Morrissey and Becca Mills were honored after the weekend matinee.
Tears were shed and standing ovations were received before the opening possession occurred on Sunday. Battling with an ACL on both of her knees, redshirt senior Madison Williams has spent the entirely of this season sitting on the bench, cheering for her teammates day in and day out. But on the final home game of the year for the Spartans, Williams would get the nod from head coach Suzy Merchant to be slotted into the starting lineup. Having her name called by the public address announcer brought the crowd to their feet in support of Williams, one of five seniors honored at the Breslin Center on Senior Day. Despite losing the opening tip off and being immediately taken out by freshman Lexi Gussert, it was the one shining moment that Williams deserved after not seeing the court all season. Still searching for that first quality win since their Dec.
The Spartans supporters rose to their feet on two separate occasions before a single point was even scored. Both times for a player who made her first appearance on the court this season. Madison Williams, the senior who has been battling an ACL tear on both of her knees, got the start at center on Senior Day.
A complete turnaround for the Spartans since the end of last year has finally taken shape with three games remaining of the regular-season. And it's not for the better. Unlike the 2014 program who fought their way to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling short to North Carolina, MSU's long and treacherous journey in hopes of receiving a bid at The Big Dance starts at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill, the site of the 2015 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament. If the season ended today, Suzy Merchant's squad would face last place Penn State in the first round as an 11th seed.
To put the Rutgers' season into perspective, read the plot line of the Friday the 13th movie. Rutgers, otherwise known as Jason Voorhees, the hockey mask wearing serial killer who stalks and torments camp counselors, is the metaphor to how well the first-year Big Ten conference participant have performed since joining the conference. Just like Voorhees, the body count is towering this year for the Scarlet Knights, winners of eight of the last 10 games.
Ann Arbor, Mich. It took MSU five 3-point tries before their first make. But when senior guard Travis Trice sank a triple with 13:46 seconds left in the first half, the proverbial lid came off for MSU. The Spartans made 5-of-13 3-pointers and shot 59.3 percent in first half against rival U-M Tuesday night and lead 38-23 at halftime.
Before the opening tip off, sophomore forward Aerial Powers was gven a standing ovation in front of the home crowd for her career setting record this past Wednesday. Standing alongside head coach Suzy Merchant on center court, Powers was given a commemorative basketball in recognition of her 1,000 point scored against Penn State, making her the 24th player in Spartan history to reach the milestone. "I was very excited," Powers said when asked to describe the emotions he felt during the pregame ceremonies.
Before the opening tip off, sophomore forward Aerial Powers was giving a standing ovation in front of the home crowd for her career setting record this past Wednesday. Standing alongside head coach Suzy Merchant on center court, Powers was given a commemorative basketball in recognition of her 1,000 point scored against Penn State, making her the 24th player in Spartan history to reach the milestone. A memorable moment for the No.
With Saturday's win over No. 23 Ohio State, MSU (17-8 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) is third in the Big Ten standings.
After missing a game-winning point against Illinois, junior guard Denzel Valentine found redemption in a 3-pointer against Ohio State — appropriately enough on Valentine's Day.
15 other players are in the running for the award, but Aerial Powers' dominance on the basketball court in recent weeks will give her the necessary boost to claim the hardwood at the end of the season. Powers, who became the 24th Spartan in history to record over 1,000 points on Wednesday following the road victory against Penn State, was named to the midseason watch list for the Dawn Staley Award earlier this month. Given to the most outstanding collegiate guard in the country who exemplifies the skills that Staley endowed during her career, including ball handling, scoring and the ability to distribute the basketball. The Detroit native is one of four players from the Big Ten who were named to the watch list, along with Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell, Rutger's Tyler Scaife and Samantha Logic of Iowa. The sophomore's 26-points in Happy Valley puts her 33-points behind Liz Shimek (2002-06) for the MSU single-season scoring record.
It's a Valentine's Day MSU fans won't soon forget. Junior guard Denzel Valentine drained a 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds on the clock to give MSU (17-8 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) the upset win over No.
To beat No. 23 Ohio State on Saturday, MSU will first have to find a way to beat freshman guard D’Angelo Russell.