ICE HOCKEY
Miller great ambassador for MSU, U.S.
Following the U.S. men’s hockey team’s 5-3 defeat of Canada Sunday night, all the talk on ESPN, MSNBC and Twitter was about goalie Ryan Miller.
BASKETBALL
Spartans must focus on bigger picture after loss
If ever there was a time for Tom Izzo’s patented big-picture outlook, it’s now. In a season of promise and high expectations recently maligned with disappointment, the MSU men’s basketball team was, for the second time in a row, sitting in its home locker room both mystified and disheartened Sunday.
BASKETBALL
'Making it happen'
Columbus, Ohio — After seeing its 13-point lead turn into a three-point deficit, the MSU women’s basketball team was on the verge of a crushing defeat to No. 7 Ohio State. In front of a raucous crowd of 11,827 at Value City Arena, the Spartans turned to junior guard Brittney Thomas.
BASKETBALL
Thomas finally shows scorers' mentality, aggressiveness in win
Columbus, Ohio — This time last year, junior guard Brittney Thomas was on the sidelines after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament.While she was injured, Mia Johnson stepped in and assumed the point guard duties, bringing an aggressive mentality to the position.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers' weekend split key for CCHA Tournament seeding
Friday’s bus ride home from Big Rapids wasn’t fun for the No. 12 MSU hockey team. The Spartans had just played one of their worst games of the season, losing 4-1 to No. 14 Ferris State. MSU looked completely out of sync, and after the game, head coach Rick Comley called out his team’s work ethic.
BASKETBALL
Spartans still looking to move past distractions
Throughout the season, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has talked about the distractions facing his team and how the players had yet to put them behind. Twenty-eight games into the season, Izzo still is talking about distractions.
SPORTS
MSU drops home finale to Hoosiers 24-15
In the final home match of his career, Franklin Gomez wasted no time in securing an advantage and pinning Indiana’s Matt Ortega for a six-point fall.
BASKETBALL
Breslin Center blues
Trailing No. 9 Ohio State by as many as 14 points in the second half, the No. 11 MSU men’s basketball team scratched back to take a lead with 4 minutes remaining before falling behind once again, ultimately losing, 74-67, Sunday at Breslin Center. The loss was the Spartans’ second straight at home and the fourth in conference, possibly ending their Big Ten title aspirations.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers' victory keeps MSU, Ferris State tied in CCHA
Needing a victory to once again pull even with Ferris State in the CCHA standings, junior forward Dustin Gazley scored the game-winning goal in the middle of the third period to push MSU past the Bulldogs, 3-2. Saturday’s crucial victory made up for the Spartans’ sluggish 4-1 loss Friday to Ferris State. The Spartans close the regular season with a home-and-home series next week against CCHA bottom dweller Bowling Green.
SPORTS
Gymnasts earn win against New Hampshire
Following a nail-biting loss against No. 20 Illinois last weekend, the No. 22 MSU gymnastics team returned home Saturday and earned a 194.175-192.400 victory against New Hampshire at Jenison Field House.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers fall to Ferris State, 4-1
MSU’s bye-weekend caused the No. 12 Spartans to come out of the gates flat and out of sync, eventually leading to a 4-1 loss to No. 14 Ferris State at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
BASKETBALL
MSU ready for 1st-place Buckeyes
Although not a crucial Big Ten game because of MSU’s early conference struggles and Ohio State’s dominance, Sunday’s 3 p.m. game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio isn’t completely devoid of meaning.
BASKETBALL
Spartans dominate Illini at Breslin Center
For all 40 minutes of Thursday’s 64-43 win against Illinois, the Spartans hustled to every loose ball, took smart shots, played lockdown defense, battled for every rebound and, most importantly, closed out the game, blowing out the Fighting Illini at Breslin Center. The Spartans improved to 9-6 in the Big Ten with the victory.
ICE HOCKEY
The correct path
After years of juggling hockey and baseball, Jeff Petry was worn out and finally decided one sport had to go. Baseball was it, and he didn’t know how to tell his dad. Imagine breaking that news to the 13-year Major League Baseball veteran, who helped pitch the Detroit Tigers to the 1984 World Series title and wanted to lend his expertise to the team Jeff was about to quit.
ICE HOCKEY
NCAA implications in MSU, Ferris State weekend series
The last time the MSU hockey team earned a clean conference sweep was on Dec. 12, 2009, against Bowling Green. Since then, the No. 12 Spartans (17-10-5 overall, 12-7-5 CCHA) haven’t been able to put together a complete weekend.
BASKETBALL
DeHaan breaks all-time NCAA blocks record
One week after tying record and watching St. Mary’s forward Louella Tomlinson break it within hours, MSU senior center Allyssa DeHaan gets record-breaking swat with 45 seconds left in MSU’s 64-43 win over Illinois on Thursday.
BASKETBALL
Spartans, Buckeyes prepare for key Big Ten battle
Nearly two weeks ago, Breslin Center played host to arguably the most pivotal game of the MSU men’s basketball team’s season.
BASKETBALL
MSU holds bench, frontcourt edge vs. Buckeyes
Ohio State’s loss to Purdue on Wednesday night didn’t change anything for the MSU men’s basketball team. The only thing it determined was who would be tied with the No. 11 Spartans in the Big Ten standings heading into this weekend. MSU (21-6 overall, 11-3 Big Ten) technically is in first place, but the Spartans and Purdue are tied in the loss column.
BASKETBALL
Bench play crucial to MSU's recent success
Coming into the season, the MSU women’s basketball team’s depth was said to be one of its biggest strengths. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, its depth has been as good as advertised. The Spartans’ depth — and more so the team’s bench play — has been a big key to its success.
BASEBALL
Spartans hope last season's momentum rolls into 2010
It’s been almost nine months since the MSU baseball team last took the field, but the Spartans still are trying to keep their momentum rolling.