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Sports | Football 1087

BASKETBALL

No. 14 Spartans defeated by UConn in Germany

Starting yet another season in an unfamiliar locale, the MSU men’s basketball team suffered a gut-wrenching result to kick off its 2012-13 campaign. After being defeated in the first outdoor college basketball game on an aircraft carrier a season ago, the No. 14 Spartans didn’t have much better luck on Friday, falling to Connecticut, or UConn, 66-62 in the Sears Armed Forces Classic at the U.S. Air Force Base in Ramstein, Germany.

BASKETBALL

Bell, Pickrel stand out as leaders in win over UT-Arlington

Every team needs a good leader, and in the case of the MSU women’s basketball team, the players still are trying to find who that person will be for them. In MSU’s season-opening 83-39 trouncing of UT Arlington on Sunday afternoon, two players stood out as potential candidates to fill the leadership void. Junior guard Klarissa Bell led the team in points (19), rebounds (8) and assists (6), and junior forward Annalise Pickrel also had a strong game, recording 18 points along with hitting four of her seven 3-pointers.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans rebound from loss, trump Michigan 7-2

After falling 5-1 to U-M Friday night, Kevin Walrod said the loss was going to provide motivation for the Spartans the following night. Turns out, it provided motivation and then some, as MSU hockey (4-5-1 overall, 3-3-0 CCHA) dominated its cross state rival by a score of 7-2.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball tops No. 10 Minnesota in four sets

The MSU volleyball team came into Friday’s match against No. 10 Minnesota riding on a wave of momentum after defeating No. 4 Nebraska last weekend. That wave only has picked up speed, as the Spartans (20-7 overall, 8-7 Big Ten) downed the Golden Gophers (20-6, 11-4) in four sets (25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-20).

ICE HOCKEY

MSU renews rivalry with U-M in weekend series

Growing up in Michigan, the MSU-U-M rivalry simply is a part of life. It’s the line dividing households, cities and the entire Mitten state. It’s the source of those two color combinations that residents display with pride on their clothing, bumper stickers and flags. It’s the matchups that bring out the best and the worst in people, and most of all, it’s not just a game.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans look to maintain momentum in critical stretch

Last weekend, the MSU volleyball team shocked the crowd at Jenison Field House when it toppled No. 4 Nebraska in a five-set thriller. This weekend, the Spartans (19-7 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) look to repeat that episode, as they have the chance to knock off No. 10 Minnesota (20-5, 11-3) to start their Big Ten doubleheader.

FOOTBALL

Column: Students need to show pride, end excuses

It was an instantly telling indictment. After leading the entire afternoon against Iowa on Oct. 13, the MSU football team (5-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) had lost the lead, was headed to overtime and had now lost the coin toss. With all of the momentum favoring the Hawkeyes, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio made what would normally be a surprising decision. He elected to play the overtime period in the end zone away from the student section because the Spartans needed as much support as possible and looking at a section about a quarter full didn’t inspire intimidation.