Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Michigan St
Michigan State Downs Marquette, 65-63
12/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2001
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich - As the old saying goes, nothing in life is free. Whomever first stated that old idiom must never have seen Michgan State. The Spartans took advantage of some things that were free, shooting 31-of-42 from the free throw line in a 65-63 win over Marquette in the first of two games at the Women's College Basketball Showcase in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Michigan State (7-1) scored almost half of its points from the charity stripe. The beneficiary of that was Michigan State guard Syreeta Bromfield, who led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
"The difference of the game was the number of free throws," said Marquette head coach Terri Mitchell. "We knew they were going to penetrate all game. They kept doing that and they got to the free throw line. The were successful on their free throws and were able to take advantage."
Michigan State took advantage of a slow start in the second half by Marquette (2-4), extending a two-point halftime lead to 10 points as late as with 6:50 left in the game. Marquette went on an 11-0 run over the next 2:40 to take a one point advantage.
"We had a lull in which Marquette did a great job of coming back," said Michigan State head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "To be honest, we haven't played with much of a lead this season. But we did a good job of getting refocused and not letting the game slip away."
Marquette's rally was keyed by junior forward Rachel Klug (Cedar Grove, Wis.). The Golden Eagles' leading scorer, Klug tossed in a team high 17 points, all in the second half. During the MU run, Klug scored six points.
However, Marquette could not hang on to its slim lead after its run. The lead changed hands three times in the final three minutes. Michigan State took its final lead of the game with 28 seconds left at 64-63 on a free throw by Kristin Haynie. Klug, the hottest player in the second half for Marquette, missed a contested eight-foot jumper with 12 seconds to play as Marquette's chance to steal the win slipped away.
"With a strength of schedule that is currently third best in the nation, we knew that there would be some ups and downs," Mitchell said. "All we can ask for is to be in a position to win at the end of the game and we had that. We couldn't ask for a much better shot than we had."
By the numbers, Marquette had a solid game, shooting 42.6 percent, holding the Spartans to a 30.6 shooting day. Hayne scored 15 for Michigan State. Julie Pagel added 11. Marquette junior forward Kristin Seffern (Van Dyne, Wis.) added nine for the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles return home on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. against Wisconsin in the U.S. Cellular Arena.
