WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Defending Their Court

Stephen Brooks

February 4, 2013

The MSU women’s basketball team welcomed first-year Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico to the in-state rivalry in overwhelming fashion Monday night. Once the Spartans overcame a poor shooting stretch at the beginning the game, the rout was on. MSU (18-4 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) took advantage of an explosive run in the second half to down rival Michigan (16-6, 5-4) for the 12th consecutive time, 61-46. “I think Michigan State is the program that sets the bar, obviously, for the state of Michigan,” Barnes Arico said. “They have a great fan base.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU beats U-M at Breslin: “Get off my court”

Josh Mansour

February 4, 2013

It was supposed to be close. Identical conference records. Overall records separated by just a game. One of the mainstays of the Big Ten’s elite against a program on the rise, with a new head coach and coming off its first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 years. But when Kiana Johnson stood with the ball in her hands, arms crossed as the final seconds ticked off the clock, an authoritative message of dominance was sent. “Get off my court,” Johnson said was the thought on her mind as she stood near midcourt.

ICE HOCKEY

Back of the net

A break down of the goals scored by the MSU hockey team so far this season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Injuries might sideline Harris, Trice

Dillon Davis

February 4, 2013

The bench continues to shrink for the No. 12 MSU men’s basketball team. After battling the injury bug earlier this season, freshman guard Gary Harris and sophomore guard Travis Trice both left Thursday’s 80-75 win against Illinois with a new set of ailments.

SPORTS

Future looks hopeful for Spartan wrestling

Zach Smith

February 4, 2013

Joe Flacco is going to Disney World. After leading the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory Sunday night, it’s a season of winning for the talented man under center.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Valentine appears to be past freshman wall

Josh Mansour

February 4, 2013

Weaving his way through the defense, Denzel Valentine spotted his teammate open in the corner on the opposite side of the court — yet, that wasn’t where he passed the ball.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball ahead, 29-22, at half against Michigan

Stephen Brooks

February 4, 2013

The only thing pretty in the first half of tonight’s installment of the MSU – Michigan series was the special pink jerseys each team was sporting. It was a typical low-scoring, gritty rivalry game you would expect in a matchup of the No. 1 and 2 scoring defenses in the Big Ten.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Mittens come off

Stephen Brooks

February 3, 2013

Pink jerseys, Breslin Center, arch rivals. The last time those three factors for the MSU women’s basketball team came together was Feb. 13, 2011, and culminated in a 69-56 victory against Michigan in front of the first sellout crowd in program history.

ICE HOCKEY

Struggles continue for MSU with losses to U-M

And there’s two more losses for the Spartans, (7-18-3 overall, 5-14-1-0 CCHA) albeit this weekend’s might have stung a little more than usual.

BASEBALL

Yewcic honored at baseball’s First Pitch Dinner, Smoltz appears as keynote speaker

Dillon Davis

February 3, 2013

With the start of the MSU baseball season less than two weeks away, the program kicked off another campaign Sunday with its eighth-annual First Pitch Dinner.

SPORTS

Gymnastics loses home meet to Minnesota on Friday

Holly Baranowski

February 3, 2013

What looked to be a close match turned unfortunate for the MSU gymnastics team when they played No. 10 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday at Jenison Field House.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Searching for his wings

Dillon Davis

February 3, 2013

From the moment he steps on the Breslin Center floor, Russell Byrd hears everything.

SPORTS

Difficult weekend led to a pair of losses for MSU wrestling

Zach Smith

February 3, 2013

The MSU wrestling team came out of their most difficult weekend of the year with a pair of losses to No. 13 Nebraska and No. 4 Minnesota.

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey loses back to back games to Michigan

After Saturday night’s game, Chris Forfar said somebody could have heard a pin drop in the MSU hockey locker room.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU falls to Michigan for third time this season

For the third time this season, MSU hockey got beaten by Michigan in the third period. Heading into the final period with a 1-1 tie, the Wolverines bested the Spartans and came out on top, 3-2, Friday night at Yost Ice Arena.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Appling leads comeback charge in 80-75 win over Illinois

Dillon Davis

February 1, 2013

When the game is on the line, MSU head coach Tom Izzo has few question where the ball belongs. A slick pass here. A layup there. And not to mention, pure ice in the veins at the free throw line.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Trice, Harris leave Illinois game after injuries; statuses unknown

Josh Mansour

February 1, 2013

A lineup initially altered to address off the court issues now faces serious on the court concerns, as the Spartans wait to learn of the fate of guards Gary Harris and Travis Trice.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball rights the ship with road win against Northwestern

Stephen Brooks

January 31, 2013

It wasn’t the dominating, confidence-boosting win the Spartans were hoping for, but they’ll take it. The MSU women’s basketball team (17-4 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) avoided a three-game skid by beating Northwestern 67-62 on the road tonight behind junior forward Annalise Pickrel’s career-high 21 points.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU, U-M to meet at Joe Louis Arena

Most MSU student-athletes get the opportunity to face rival Michigan once, maybe twice, a season. After this weekend draws to a close, MSU hockey (7-17-3 overall, 5-12-1-0 CCHA) will have gotten its fifth.

SPORTS

MSU to face off against Minnesota at Jenison

Zach Smith

January 31, 2013

With its third-straight meet against an opponent currently ranked in the NCAA Top 25, the MSU gymnastics team hopes to notch its first win as they host No. 10 Minnesota.