BASKETBALL
Spartan loss ends home-winning streak
Who would have thought the day would come? In a 64-63 heartbreaker against Wisconsin Saturday, the inevitable happened.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans split weekend series with Broncos
Kalamazoo - Sixth-ranked MSU had the pedal to the metal in Friday’s 6-3 win over Western Michigan, but the Spartans’ offensive fuel tank went dry a night later as they sputtered to a 2-0 loss in Kalamazoo.The Spartans (16-5-2 overall, 11-4-1 CCHA) seemed to get all the bounces in the series opener at Munn Ice Arena, but MSU players and coaches were left scratching their heads after their luck took a 180-degree turn Saturday at hostile Lawson Arena.Western (12-9-3, 6-8-2) packed 4,575 rowdy fans into Lawson for a “Black Out” promotion Saturday, and the arena continued to be an Achilles’ heel for the Spartans.
SPORTS
Emotional ride leaves lasting hoops memory
Here lies the 53-game home winning streak of the MSU men’s basketball team at Breslin Center. Thanks for the memories - Nov.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
Gymnastics season off to record beginning The MSU women’s gymnastics team opened the season Friday at Jenison Field House with a second-place finish. The four-team field included No.
SPORTS
Illinois puts up too much fight
Champaign, Ill. - Despite their best comeback attempts, the Spartan women’s basketball team dropped their third straight game 72-66 to Illinois at Assembly Hall. The Spartans (10-6 overall, 0-5 Big Ten) trailed by as many as 11 to the Fighting Illini (11-4, 4-1) and faced an eight-point deficit at halftime, before staging a second-half comeback that came up just short. Spartan head coach Joanne P.
SPORTS
Spartans pound Wolverines, claim toughest school in Michigan
Auburn Hills - Bodies hit the floor all night long Friday, but in the end it was MSU’s John Lesneski who remained standing with his arm raised in victory. MSU defeated Michigan 11-9 in the first-ever Toughman Contest fueled by a college rivalry. The kinesiology senior was the fighter who put MSU over the top by winning all four of his contests, including the championship, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. “My head hurts really bad, my thumb is a little messed up, but I’m really happy,” Lesneski said. Lesneski fought four fights in a three-hour time period, explaining his loss for words and desire for aspirin.
BASKETBALL
Torberts shot not enough
The old sports cliché “catch the ball with two hands” haunts Kelvin Torbert after Saturday’s 64-63 loss to Wisconsin.In one motion, the freshman guard caught an inbound pass, cradled the ball and banked in what seemed to be the winning shot as time expired.But after officials reviewed the play, the shot was disallowed.
SPORTS
Spartan in the law
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Former Spartan and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress was cited for missing court Wednesday. Burress was charged for carrying an open alcoholic beverage in downtown Cleveland on Christmas Eve. In his second NFL season, Burress had 66 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. No further charges have been made at this time.
FOOTBALL
Fans bite into tailbacks departure
Junior tailback T.J. Duckett is bolting from East Lansing - and a local favorite sandwich will probably be close behind. As the news of Duckett’s formal senior-year-skipping announcement bounced around town Thursday afternoon, fans had varying reactions.
SPORTS
Spartans and Wolverines to slug it out
You can expect blood and sweat, but don’t count on any tears when MSU and Michigan face off in the ring. Students, faculty and alumni from the age-old rivals will be going head-to-head in a Toughman Contest at 8 p.m.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers try to reverse bad trend vs. Western
It’s hard to believe, but only four players on MSU’s roster have ever won a game against Western Michigan. All four - right wing Adam Hall, left wing Joe Goodenow, and defensemen Andrew Hutchinson and Jon Insana - are seniors now.
BASKETBALL
Basketball looking for Breslin Center boost
After losing three road games in three weeks, the No. 25 Spartans finally return to Breslin Center on Saturday to take on Wisconsin. A home game could be the catalyst MSU (9-6 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) needs to pull itself out of the Big Ten’s basement.
SPORTS
Spartans gear up defense for challenging trip to Champaign
Sometimes a change of scenery can be a good thing, but for the Spartan women’s basketball team leaving the MSU campus creates some challenges.The Spartans (10-4 overall, 0-3 Big Ten as of Jan.
SPORTS
Local law enforcement to aid Sept. 11 victims through hockey
To raise money for New York area charities, officers from the Michigan State Police and Ontario Provincial Police are trading in their uniforms for hockey jerseys. The two departments will square off in a charity hockey game at 7 p.m.
SPORTS
Desire, toughness earn walk-on teams respect
When he steps onto the court, the reception he gets doesn’t rival that of senior guard Mat Ishbia.But when it comes to walk-ons, Flint native Tim Bograkos is MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo’s guy.With only eight scholarship players, Izzo looks for depth when the starting backcourt needs a breath.
FOOTBALL
T.J. ducks out of U for NFL
The Spartan football team will have to switch to unleaded next season, as “Diesel” will no longer be available. A sense of satisfaction and relief beamed from T.J.
SPORTS
First Big Ten win eludes Spartans
The Spartan women’s basketball team continues its uphill battle in the Big Ten.Fifth-ranked Wisconsin (13-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) poses the next challenge for MSU (10-4, 0-3) at 7 p.m.
SPORTS
Spikers sign recruit
MSU volleyball head coach Chuck Erbe announced the signing of Caroline Belichto a National Letter of Intent for the 2002-03 season. “She’s a tremendously well-rounded player that will fit in well with all the players we have here,” Erbe said. The Illinois native was a three-year letter winner at Lyons Township High School, leading her team to conference and regional championships as a junior and a senior. Belich, a 6-1 outside hitter, earned all-conference and all-region honors as her team reached the sectional finals the last two seasons. “She’s a great athlete,” said Erbe.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers find goals from unexpected player
Quick, who leads sixth-ranked MSU in goal scoring?No, it’s not senior captain Adam Hall, sensational freshman center Jim Slater or even thunder-shooting junior wing Brian Maloney.It’s John-Michael Liles - a 5-foot-10 defenseman from the renowned hockey hotbed of Indiana.Against Quinnipiac on Saturday, Liles became the first Spartan to notch 10 goals this season.
FOOTBALL
U await, debate Ducketts decision
T.J. Duckett told The Associated Press he hasn’t made his decision on whether to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.The Spartan star running back will announce his decision at 4 p.m.