Nov. 21, 2012

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EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team provided the Spartan fans with a pre-Thanksgiving treat, beating Albany 67-35 on Wednesday night at Breslin Center. The Spartans, who improve to 4-0 on the season, were led by 19 points from junior Klarissa Bell, one of four MSU players in double figures.

Bell was 7-for-10 from the field en route to her game-high 19 points. She also added six rebounds, five assists and a tied a career high with three steals. Sophomore Jasmine Hines was strong again off the bench, totaling 14 points in a career-high 24 minutes. Senior Jasmine Thomas and junior Annalise Pickrel each chipped in 11 points on the night. Thomas also added a game-high seven assists with only one turnover, while Pickrel hit three 3-pointers, tied her career high with seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

The Spartans jumped all over the Great Danes (2-2) in the first half, shooting 62.1% in the half, including 6-of-10 from behind the arc, to open a 46-26 halftime advantage. Albany scored the first two points, but MSU ran off 14 of the next 16 to lead 14-4 with 13:32 on the clock. A 3-pointer from Albany was followed by a 17-2 run by the Spartans over the next four minutes to pretty much put the game away.

The second half was an impressive defensive effort by the Spartans, as MSU held the Great Danes to nine points on 3-for-25 shooting. Over the final 15:43 of the game, Albany had just three points.

Entering the game, Albany was +8.7 on the glass through its first three games, but tonight, MSU held a 45-32 edge in rebounding.

Michigan State returns to Breslin Center on Sunday for a 4 p.m. tip against Robert Morris.

POST GAME NOTES:
- MSU begins the season 4-0 for the 10th time in program history.
- The 152 points (38.0 per game) are the third fewest allowed through the first four games of a season in MSU history, trailing only the first two teams - 128 in 1973-74 and 144 in 1972-73 - both before the addition of the 3-point line.
-The 64 points allowed in the last two games ties the sixth-fewest allowed in back-to-back games in program history. The five lowest totals were all during the 1972-73 and 1973-74 seasons.
- MSU is now 7-0 all-time when Jasmine Hines scores in double figures.
- Hines tied her previous career highs with six field goals and two blocks.
- Jasmine Thomas tied her career high with 38 minutes played.
- In the month of November, MSU is now 16-1 under Coach Merchant at Breslin Center and 30-7 overall.
- Under Coach Merchant, MSU is now 92-8 when holding its opponent under 60 points.
- The Spartans have won 35 of their last 39 games at Breslin Center.
- MSU is now 5-0 all-time on November 21.
- It was the first meeting all-time between MSU and Albany.
- Albany returned three starters from last season's team that won 23 games and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.