Dec. 29, 2012

Box Score |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery   | Highlights

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule on Saturday with a 57-47 win over Temple at Breslin Center. The Spartans, who will enter Big Ten play at 12-1, were led by 16 points from junior Annalise Pickrel, while senior Courtney Schiffauer added 10.

Junior Klarissa Bell had an impressive stat line with seven points, a career-high 13 rebounds, three assists (with no turnovers), a career-high three blocks and two steals in 37 minutes. Sophomore Kiana Johnson had a team-best four assists off the bench.

Temple scored the first two points of the game, but after a 3-point play by Pickrel at 17:26, the Spartans never trailed the rest of the way. Michigan State's lead grew to as much as 15 late in the first half, 34-19 with 1:32 left, but the Owls scored the next eight points over the last minute of the first half and the first two minutes of the second.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Pickrel widened MSU's lead back up to double digits with 12:44 to go and the Spartans would maintain a 53-39 lead with 8:14 on the clock. However, Michigan State was held scoreless for the next 7:18 as Temple cut the deficit to 53-47. The Spartans would not let the game get any closer as Bell and Jasmine Thomas each knocked down two free throws in the final minute for the 57-47 final.

The Spartan defense held Temple to 30.4% shooting from the field and forced 17 turnovers. MSU held a 44-38 edge on the glass.

The Spartans begin Big Ten play on Thursday, hosting Minnesota at 7 p.m.

POST-GAME NOTES:
- MSU starts the season 12-1 for just the fourth time in program history.
- The Spartans have held each opponent this season below their scoring average. Temple entered the game averaging 56.0 points per game.
- The Michigan State defense has also held each team's leading scorer below their season average. Temple's Victoria Macaulay entered the game averaging 16.8 points and shooting 57.1% from the field. Today, she was held to 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
- Pickrel has led MSU in scoring in two of the last four games, the first two times in her career.
- MSU's 11 steals today were the second-most in a game this season.
- Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans improve to 100-9 when holding their opponent below 60 points.
- MSU has won 68 of its last 69 games when leading with five minutes left. The Spartans are 110-5 under Merchant when doing so.
- The Spartans have won 38 of its last 42 games at Breslin Center and are 244-82 all-time in the building.
- Michigan State has outrebounded 11 of its 13 opponents this season and 58 of its last 70 opponents.
- MSU improves to 3-0 all-time against Temple.
- The Spartans improve to 32-19 in games broadcast on Big Ten Network.