It was all hugs and handshakes between the Western Michigan University Broncos and the number 21 nationally ranked Michigan State University Spartans in the pregame warm ups, however, when tip off came, it was a defensive battle at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.
Today marked the 19th time these two programs have crossed paths, with MSU leading the series 10-8 and winning the last three. The two teams have met prior to today in Grand Rapids in the 1981 and 1982 seasons. WMU’s last win over MSU came in the 1982 season.
It was a defensive battle early on between the Broncos and Spartans. No points were scored until MSU’s Brittany Thomas went to the free throw line at the 17:37 mark. No field goals were made until MSU’s Lauren Aitch put one in for two at the 16:07 mark. WMU was 7-24 in the first half and MSU was 12-29. Also, MSU’s center, 6 foot 9 Alyssa Dehaan, who is currently 67 blocks away from taking the record for most blocks in NCAA history, had four blocks in the first half.
The Broncos came out and got into foul trouble in the first half giving MSU 15 chances from the line. Along with fouls, the Broncos committed 18 turnovers. It didn’t help the Broncos that freshman DeAirra Goss left the game early with an ankle injury.
One positive that came out of the first half for WMU was that senior Molly Dwyer, who has never missed a game, made a basket from three giving her over 500 points for her career.
At half time, the score was Michigan State 33, Western Michigan 23.
In the second half, Michigan State came out on a tear. They started on an 7-0 run to make the score 40-23, however, the run ended when WMU’s Miame Giden made two foul shots. MSU eventually took control of the half though. They were able to feed the ball around and get open looks in the paint and from beyond the arch. WMU was outscored in the paint 42 to 18.
“We held them under their average,” said WMU head coach Tasha McDowell. “We expected them to have a big night in the post, and [MSU] came here and took care of business.”
WMU tried to cut down MSU’s lead later in the second but they couldn’t. WMU’s Sara Vest led the team with 12 points, and she shot 7-8 from the free throw line. However, it was turnovers that lost the game for Western. They committed 30 turnovers.
“You can’t turn the ball over that many times and win games,” said McDowell.
The final score of the game was 74-51 Michigan State, however, WMU will have another chance to play the Spartans next year when MSU will travel to Kalamazoo to play the Broncos at University Arena.
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