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Sports

SPORTS

Spartans ground Golden Eagles

Grand Rapids - For the second game in a row, the MSU women’s basketball team found itself at the foul line with little time left on the clock and a basket needed. And once again, the team pulled out a win as the Spartans topped Marquette 65-63 on Sunday at the Women’s College Basketball Showcase at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Spartans kept the game close, putting pressure on the Golden Eagle offense. As a result, MSU held Marquette’s leading scorers, guard Kristi Johnson and forward Rachel Klug, to two combined points in the first half. “They’re really good post players and I’m not going to take anything away from them,” sophomore forward Julie Pagel said. Guard Kelly Schwerman kept the Golden Eagles in the game, posting seven points in the half, including a three-point shot with a foul that put the Golden Eagles ahead by three with fewer than five minutes left in the half. MSU junior forward Syreeta Bromfield spread 14 points over the half, leading the Spartans and freshman guard Kristin Haynie provided two five-point bursts in the half, leading to a 29-27 Spartan lead at the half. “I’m kind of like a leader on the team,” said Bromfield, who finished with a game-high 26 points.

FOOTBALL

Spartans finally dominate

So much for the notion that an 11 a.m. kickoff would lead to sluggish results. In fact, MSU’s players were so fired up in pregame warmups against Missouri on Saturday that they had to be calmed down by the coaching staff. Nobody wanted to see any more injuries to end this erratic regular season.

ICE HOCKEY

Weekend series in Alaska ends in split

No. 3 MSU woke up Saturday morning to frigid temperatures and a harsh reality in Fairbanks, Alaska. After a 2-1 loss to heavy underdog Alaska-Fairbanks the night before, head coach Ron Mason’s Spartans fell to 0-3 on the road this season and were grappling for answers. “I think we came out a little tired from traveling,” junior right wing Kris Koski said from Alaska on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Team improves play in Classic victory

The weekend was all about improvements for the MSU men’s basketball team in the Spartan Coca-Cola Classic. MSU defeated Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne 81-68 in the Classic opener Friday and then defeated Lamar 80-71 on Saturday for their sixth straight Spartan Coca-Cola Classic championship.

FOOTBALL

MSU blows out Mizzou 55-7, earns needed sixth win

It took 11 games to do it, but the MSU football finally put a team away early and hung on for a 55-7 win Missouri at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The victory, MSU’s biggest point margin in a win since it beat Iowa 49-3 two years ago, made the Spartans (6-5 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) bowl eligible.

VOLLEYBALL

Irish first foe in tourney

It might not have the madness of March or sparkle of “One Shining Moment,” but for the Spartan volleyball team, the NCAA Volleyball Tournament doesn’t lack drama. The No.

SPORTS

W-crew team inks 6 recruits

MSU head crew coach Bebe Bryans announced six athletes signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, creating the “strongest recruiting class,” she’s ever had. Kristin Dooley (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Ashley Johnson (Park Hills, Ken.), Ashley Goosen (Rockford, Mich.), Valerie Lincoln (Fremont, Mich.) and Sarah Brady (Attica, Mich.) will join a team that has competed in the NCCA Championship the last four years. The women’s crew team also has placed first in three of its four meets this fall season. The team captured first and second place at Head of the Cuyahoga, took two first-place finishes at Head of the Ohio and dominated its only home meet, Head of the Grand, taking first place in every event. The Spartans compete again in the spring at the President’s Cup in Tampa, Fla., in March.

ICE HOCKEY

Alaska-Fairbanks series only second road test of season

Fewer than two months into the season, Alaska-Fairbanks has already appeared on and disappeared from the national radar. The perennial doormat Nanooks, under head coach Guy Gadowsky, won six of their first seven games and began garnering attention from pollsters across the country. That was until Fairbanks (6-6-0 overall, 2-6-0 CCHA) dropped five straight contests - a streak it’s trying to break at home against No.

SOCCER

Baum relished NCAAs after 32 years sans postseason

While the MSU men’s soccer players hustled in pregame drills for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament matchup with Indiana, head coach Joe Baum nonchalantly meandered across the field.Baum’s relaxed attitude was surprising, considering the game was bigger than any the Spartans had played since Baum was on the team 32 years ago.But behind that calm demeanor, Baum admitted he was living up the moment.“It was a great feeling,” he said.