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Sports

SPORTS

HALFTIME: MSU leads Ohio State, 17-10, in Big Ten Championship Game

Stephen Brooks
December 7, 2013

No. 10 MSU came out swinging behind the arm of sophomore quarterback Connor Cook before No. 2 Ohio State found its footing and bounced back to make it a 17-10 game heading after one half of play in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Spartans took advantage of two pass interference flags on the game’s opening drive, which resulted in a 40-yard field goal from freshman kicker Michael Geiger. MSU also claimed the first big play of the night, a 72-yard bomb from Cook to junior wide receiver Keith Mumphery, sending the portion of the crowd clad in green into a frenzy. Cook threw another jaw-dropping pass to junior Tony Lippett for a 33-yard score, giving the Spartans an early 17-0 lead and MSU appeared to be in command. The Buckeyes’ explosive offense was stifled by MSU on their first three drives, generating just 36 yards.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball falls on road at Va. Tech

Derek Blalock
December 7, 2013

The MSU women’s basketball team continued its recent struggles with a third-straight loss Saturday afternoon losing, 72-66, at Virginia Tech. Despite hitting two 3-pointers in the final minute of the game, the Spartans (5-4 overall) couldn’t get the comeback victory. MSU started three freshmen in the lineup because of junior guard Kiana Johnson missing her second straight game with an infection.

FOOTBALL

For Lewis, game offers chance at redemption

Stephen Brooks
December 5, 2013

Ever since 11:52 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2011, Isaiah Lewis has patiently awaited a moment that was never guaranteed to arrive. At that minute, time ran out on MSU’s Big Ten title hopes. Wisconsin finished a second-half comeback against the Kirk Cousins-led Spartans, avenging a regular season loss at Spartan Stadium and claiming the league’s coveted Rose Bowl bid in the process.

FOOTBALL

Ready for Battle

Dillon Davis
December 5, 2013

As fans were ushered down the steps and out the exit of Lucas Oil Stadium into a chilly Indianapolis night, Denicos Allen witnessed something he’d never seen before. Max Bullough was there, too — he remembers it well. The then-sophomore linebackers were forced to watch several members of the 2011 Spartans, a band of brothers toward the end of a special season, break down in tears.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Sick Costello shines in shadows of loss

Zach Smith
December 5, 2013

Matt Costello wasn’t supposed to play Wednesday night — but he contributed in a big way. Despite a 79-65 loss to North Carolina, the sophomore forward was the only member of the No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team to play with the spirit of the best team in the nation.

FOOTBALL

Stars aligned

Stephen Brooks
December 5, 2013

Les Brown is credited with coining the phrase “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” For college football coaching staffs coast to coast, landing stars — as many as possible — is the lifeblood of the business. Not star players per se, although that’s the ultimate goal, but rather players with the most five-sided shapes attached to their online recruiting profile. More stars means better players. Better players means more wins. More wins means more money and job security for said coaches. With the advent and evolution of national recruiting analysis services such as Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN’s Recruiting Nation in the past decade, any potential prospect worth a Division 1 coach’s time is promptly listed, evaluated and assigned a “star rating” from one to five based on skill. A five-star-rating represents the most elite high school athletes.

BASKETBALL

No. 1 Spartans fall to UNC after slow start

Matt Sheehan
December 4, 2013

The No. 1 men’s basketball team walked onto the court in kryptonite-colored socks for their highly-anticipated Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup against North Carolina. However, the Superman of college hoops walked off the court with their first loss of the season to UNC, 75-69. The Spartans never led during a game that showcased some of MSU’s most troubling tendencies on the season thus far. The game started just as poorly as it possibly could have for MSU and had the packed Breslin Center in a restless frenzy almost immediately. Junior forward Alex Gauna, who got the start in place of ill sophomore forward Matt Costello, started the game by committing two fouls and a turnover within the first 90 seconds. MSU went on to turn the ball over eight times, four of which came in the first five minutes, and allowing UNC to grab 10 offensive rebounds on the half.

BASKETBALL

Top-ranked MSU tied with UNC at halftime

Zach Smith
December 4, 2013

It was a tale of two halves…of a half. The No. 1 MSU men’s basketball team is tied with North Carolina 32-32 at the half, after an up-and-down start to the game by the Spartans The Tar Heels led by as much as 14 midway through the period, but MSU scored eight of the last 10 field goals to even the score. It took four minutes for MSU to get their first field goal.

SPORTS

MSU opens Big Ten wrestling play with Badgers

Derek Blalock
December 4, 2013

As the fall semester draws to a close, the wrestling team’s season is just starting to heat up. The Spartans (5-3 overall) will partake in their first Big Ten matchup of the season against No. 16 Wisconsin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Jenison Field House.