Women's Basketball

Dec. 20, 2012

Box Score | Highlights

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Michigan State women's basketball team won the 2012 South Point Holiday Hoops Classic on Thursday with a 50-48 overtime victory over Texas Tech. Sophomore Kiana Johnson scored all six points for MSU in overtime, including the game-winning jumper with 8.3 seconds left. The Spartans improves to 11-1 for the fourth time in program history, while Texas Tech falls to 8-2.

Aside from an early 4-2 deficit, the Spartans led throughout the first half, taking a 21-15 lead into halftime. MSU's lead grew to as much as nine in the early moments of the second half at 26-17 with 17:44 to go. However, Texas Tech went on a 10-1 run over the next 6:43 to tie the game at 27.

A Jasmine Thomas coast-to-coast layup ended the spurt and propelled the Spartans on a run that put them back up seven at 38-31 with six minutes to go. The Red Raiders cut the Spartan lead to one at 42-41 with a minute and a half to go in regulation.

Sophomore Kiana Johnson hit two free throws to put MSU up 44-41 with 36.5 second left. Monique Smalls however would tie the game with a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound with 10.3 seconds left to force overtime.

In overtime, Texas Tech took control early, scoring the first four points, but MSU held them scoreless over the final 2:56. The Spartans were without an overtime point until Johnson dropped in a layup with 2:07 left and followed with another layup with 1:05 on the clock to tie the game at 48. A defensive stop set the stage for Johnson's heroics. As the Spartans ran down the clock, Johnson penetrated to the right and pulled up for a short jumper, rolling it in with 8.3 seconds left. Texas Tech had a last second chance to tie it up, but the ball rolled off the rim as time expired.

Johnson and Thomas each led the Spartans with 11 points, as Thomas also added a team-high three assists and three steals. Senior Courtney Schiffauer and junior Annalise Pickrel led the team with nine rebounds apiece. Pickrel's mark was a career high and she also blocked a season-high two shots.

Thomas was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, while sophomore Jasmine Hines was named to the all-tournament team.

Again, it was a solid defensive effort by the Spartans, holding Texas Tech to 29.3% shooting, including a 2-for-12 (16.7%) mark from behind the arc. MSU won despite turning it over 25 times, but forced 22 Texas Tech turnovers. The Spartans controlled the boards 46-37, including 15 on the offensive end.

The Spartans return home after the holiday break to play Temple on Dec. 29 at 12 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

POST GAME NOTES:
- Michigan State has won 17 of its last 18 overtime games over the last 11 seasons.
- Michigan State has held each of its opponents below its season scoring average. Texas Tech entering the game averaging 70.1 points per game.
- The Spartans have also held each opponent's leading scorer below her average. Texas Tech's Casey Morris (13.2 points per game) had three points on 1-for-7 shooting in 41 minutes.
- Over the last nine games, MSU's opponents are shooting 18.2% (26-for-143) from behind the arc.
- MSU has now won 67 of its last 68 games when leading with five minutes left.
- MSU beats Texas Tech for the first time in program history, with the only other meeting occurring in 1988.
- The Spartans are now 77-42 all-time in regular season tournaments, including a 22-6 record in the last 10 seasons.
- Michigan State improves to 152-4 all-time when holding its opponent below 50 points.
- Annalise Pickrel played a career-high 42 minutes, while Klarissa Bell and Courtney Schiffauer each tied their career highs with 40 minutes played.

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