2020/12/23 03:19 EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Nia Clouden led a balanced attack with 15 points and No. 25 Michigan State celebrated its first Top 25 ranking this season with red-hot shooting in a 94-56 win over Oakland on Tuesday. The Spartans (7-0) made 39 of 60 shots from the field (65%) in continuing their best start since opening 8-0 eight years ago. Julia Ayrault added 14 points, Moira Joiner 13 and Alyza Winston 12 for Michigan State as the four double-figure scorers combined to make 21 of 30 shots. Janai Crooms grabbed 10 rebounds and Ayrault had nine to help the Spartans dominate the boards 43-25 and score 48 points in the paint. Kahlaijah Dean scored 15 points to lead Oakland (3-4), which made just 2 of 20 3-point shots and finished at 34% (22 of 64) from the field.
No 25 Michigan State women dispatch Oakland 94-56 startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FINAL: MSU defeats Northern Illinois, 82-70, despite fouls from main contributors
Michigan State guard Moira Joiner gazes into empty stands during the Spartans game against Central Michigan on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at the Breslin Center. Photo by Joe Dandron | The State News
Despite foul trouble from it’s biggest contributors, Michigan State women s basketball was victorious over Northern Illinois, winning 82-70 Sunday afternoon.
Northern Illinois got things going early behind their shooting from beyond the arc that is ranked highest in the MAC conference, extending their lead to 8-2 in the first few minutes.
It was all Michigan State from there.
Michigan State s role players step up as foul trouble builds up for stars
With Nia Clouden and Alyza Winston each getting up to four fouls in their win against Northern Illinois, Michigan State women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant had to look down to her bench for scoring.
Merchant was able to find it, as the Spartans went on to win 82-70 over Northern Illinois after getting 56 points outside of Winston and Clouden.
With their outside shots not falling, the Spartans turned to the inside where freshman Kendall Bostic was able to get going with nine quick points in the second quarter, and finish with 11 on the day.