Jan. 4, 2012

Box Score |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery  | Highlights

Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts
Head Coach Suzy Merchant Press Conference
Jasmine Hines | Porsche Poole | Courtney Schiiffauer
Michigan Press Conference

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Using a 19-5 run midway through the second half, the Michigan State women's basketball team erased a halftime deficit to beat Michigan, 60-55 on Wednesday night at the Breslin Center. The win was the Spartans' 18th in the last 19 meetings with the Wolverines, including winning the last 10 games.

The Spartans, who improve to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, were led by 13 points from senior Porsche Poole. Classmate Lykendra Johnson and freshman Jasmine Hines each added nine points. Junior Courtney Schiffauer had a career high 11 rebounds, helping MSU to a 44-29 advantage on the glass.

Behind its largest crowd of the season (9,718 fans), Michigan State jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first three-plus minutes. Michigan (12-3, 1-1) would put together a 12-1 run of its own to take a 17-12 lead with just under eight minutes to go in the half. The Spartans would retake a lead on a couple occasions, but went to the break down 27-24.

The Wolverines maintained the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Spartans posted an extended 19-5 run over a span of 10:53 to gain a lead it would not relinquish. The run, which brought the score to 48-38 MSU, was capped off by nine unanswered points, including six points and an assist from Hines. Michigan closed within three with 22 seconds left, but freshman Kiana Johnson hit both ends of an 1-and-1 to seal the victory.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday, when they head to No. 22/20 Penn State for a 2 p.m. tip on CBS.

Team Notes:
- MSU has started 2-0 in Big Ten play for the 11th time, and for the second straight season.
- MSU is now 59-15 all-time against Michigan. They are 31-6 all-time in East Lansing, including winning the last 10 in Breslin Center.
- Over the past 10 seasons, the Spartans have won 33 of 34 games against in-state opponents.
- The Spartans are now 21-10 in Big Ten home openers.
- Michigan State has won 25 of its last 29 Big Ten games.
- MSU has outrebounded 14 of its 15 opponents this season.
- Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans are 82-8 when holding its opponent to 60 points or less.
- MSU has won 26 of its last 28 games at the Breslin Center.

Player Notes:
- With nine points, Lykendra Johnson moved into 20th place on the MSU career scoring list (1,039). Prior to the game, Johnson received a commemorative ball honoring her reaching the 1,000 point plateau.
- Johnson also moved into 11th all-time with 190 steals, after grabbing a game- and season-high four tonight.
- Courtney Schiffauer played a career high 36 minutes, including all 20 in the second half.
- Jasmine Hines set a season high with two blocks.
- Third leading scorer Becca Mills sat out the game with a knee injury.