Dec. 6, 2011

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Head Coach Suzy Merchant Press Conference
Kiana Johnson | Lykendra Johnson | Jasmine Thomas

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team jumped out to a quick start, behind accurate shooting from behind the arc, and never looked back, beating Detroit, 64-41 on Tuesday night at the Breslin Center. Junior Jasmine Thomas led the Spartans (7-3) for the second straight game, totaling a season-high 14 points, while senior Lykendra Johnson gathered back-to-back double-doubles with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The Spartans shot 60.0% (9-for-15) from the 3-point line tonight, after combining for a 7-for-33 (21.2%) effort in the last two games.

Unlike the last couple games, the Spartan offensive was clicking early, scoring the first seven points and jumping out to an 18-6 lead over the first seven minutes. During the stretch, MSU went 4-of-5 from behind the arc, including two from L. Johnson. Detroit hung tight though throughout the half, going into the break down only nine at 33-24.

The Spartans began the second half with a 3-pointer from senior Taylor Alton and built their lead to 16 at 44-28 with just over 14 minutes to play. The Titans would get within 12, but an 8-0 run over four and a half minutes late in the half by MSU, put the game away. A 3-pointer from sophomore Bryonna Davis capped the scoring in the final minute for the 64-41 final.

Freshman Kiana Johnson, who started at the point for the second consecutive game, dished out a season-high eight assists with only one turnover, and picked up a season-high four steals. Over the last two games, she has 12 assists and only two turnovers, and has grabbed seven steals.

Joining Thomas and L. Johnson as the scoring leaders, freshman Jasmine Hines chipped in nine points in 14 minutes of action. L. Johnson added a season-high four blocks to her double-double total.

Michigan State held Detroit to 22.4% shooting, and controlled the boards, 45-35.

After concluding the four-game homestand, the Spartans head to Austin, Texas on Saturday to face No. 24/25 Texas at 3 p.m. ET.

Team Notes:
- The Spartans won their 13th straight game over Detroit, and improve to 18-7 all-time in the series.
- MSU improves to 32-1 over the past 10 seasons against in-state schools.
- MSU has outrebounded each of the 10 opponents this season, and 33 of its last 36.
- The Spartans are 139-4 all-time when holding their opponent under 50 points.
- MSU has won 25 of its last 27 games at the Breslin Center.
- The 41 points by Detroit were the fewest allowed by MSU this season and the 17 second half points allowed are the fewest in any half.

Player Notes:
- Lykendra Johnson is now only five points away from 1,000 in her career. She is now 23rd all-time at MSU with 995 career points.
- L. Johnson also moved into sixth all-time at MSU with 844 career rebounds.
- It was L. Johnson's fourth double-double of the season and 21st in her career.
- L. Johnson went 2-of-3 from behind the arc, after hitting only 1 of her last 15 entering the night.
- Thomas is shooting 10-for-15 over the past two games, including 4-for-4 from behind the arc.
- Bryonna Davis saw her most action since the second game of the season, scoring five points in seven minutes off the bench.